Four council members serving the Municipality of the District of West Hants will be fighting for seats in the upcoming election, including Deputy Warden Gary Cochrane.
As of the deadline for nominations, Sept. 11 at 5 p.m., Barbara Gallagher was challenging District 1 (Summerville-Kempt Shore) councillor Reed Allen, Kimberly Frank was vying for Cochrane’s District 5 (Wentworth-Newport Station-Newport Corner) seat, and Jennifer Daniels confirmed her intent to run against Gloria Shanks in District 7 (Three Mile Plains-Martock).
Coun. Rick Gaudet withdrew his application to re-offer in District 8 (Upper Falmouth-Mount Denson) just hours before the call for nominations closed. Coun. Pam Ainslie, who now serves District 9 (Falmouth), is entering the race for Gaudet’s seat, along with political neophytes Randy Hussey, of Garlands Crossing, and Falmouth Back Road resident Mike Campbell.
Three newcomers have offered to run in Falmouth, District 9, including Geraldine Miller, Victor Swinamer and Sherry Smith.
Warden Richard Dauphinee (District 6, Three Mile Plains), and councillors Shirley Pineo (Avondale-the Burlingtons), Randy Matheson (Brooklyn) and Tom Brown (St. Croix-Ellershouse-Newport Corner) were unopposed and have been elected by acclamation.
Candidates have until Sept. 12 at 4 p.m. to withdraw their nomination papers. If an unopposed candidate decides to call it quits, a by-election will be held in that area. The fall municipal election will be held Oct. 20.
Stay tuned to the Journal for introductory profiles of all of the new candidates looking for seats.
