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ELECTION: Local electoral candidates filling out in Delta

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DELTA — The race for a place at the Delta Council table is getting heated, as four new challengers will vie for one of six seats in the 2014 civic elections.

Peter Mattoo, Ron Calliou, Heather King and Rod Binder have filed their nomination papers for councillor, challenging incumbents Ian Paton, Robert Campbell, Sylvia Bishop, Jeannie Kanakos and Bruce McDonald.

At least one seat must go to a new face, since Delta North MLA Scott Hamilton stepped aside in June after juggling his roles in Victoria and Delta. The four-time councillor was elected as the BC Liberal candidate in the May 2013 provincial elections, edging out fellow Coun. Sylvia Bishop by a mere 203 votes.

McDonald also ran in the provincial election, but for the riding of Delta South, lost out to two-term independent MLA Vicki Huntington. McDonald, who has served on Delta Council since 1998, will seek another term along with fellow Independents Working For You team members Jeannie Kanakos, and Trustees Laura Dixon and Nick Kanakos.

Mayor Lois Jackson announced in September that she would run for one last term at the helm, along with Delta Independent Voters Association members Ian Paton, Rod Binder and Robert Campbell. The five-term mayor, who has served on council since 1972, is currently running unopposed.

Applications for the job of school trustee are also beginning to fill up, with eight candidates so far forwarding their names.

Incumbent trustees include board chairwoman Laura Dixon, Nick Kanakos, Donna Burke, and Val Windsor, while new names are appearing on the ballot such as Susan Fetterkind, Carla Qualtrough, Bruce Reid, Scott Stoilen and Laura Thomas.

With two days left to file nomination papers, incumbent trustees Dale Saip, and Fabian Milat have yet to sign on the dotted line. One incumbent, however, will not be returning. Simon Truelove, a school teacher who was first elected in 2005, will step aside, citing his frustration with the provincial government through the recent job action and cuts to education. Brad Sherwin has announced his intention to run, but had not filed his paperwork at the time of this writing.

Would-be candidates have until this Friday, Oct. 10, to submit their nomination papers with the Corporation of Delta. Election signage can begin to go up on Oct. 15 and Oct. 17 is the last chance candidates have to pull out of the race and remove their name from the ballot.

The 2014 BC Municipal Election will be held Nov. 15, but advanced voting will be available in Delta on Nov. 1, 5 and 6.

For more information, including how to register as a candidate or how to vote, visit the Corporation of Delta website.

amacnair@thenownewspaper.com

@adrianmacnair