As voters from across the region cast ballots in their municipal elections, there are plenty of intriguing mayoral races.
While some municipalities, including Marathon, Greenstone, Shuniah, Red Rock, and Hornepayne, have had their heads of council acclaimed, there are a number of others that will be decided on Monday night.
Here's a look at some of them.
Schreiber
Incumbent Kevin Mullins, who was appointed to the job after the 2021 death of previous mayor Dave Hamilton, is seeking election to continue working towards completing several key projects he has identified during his campaign as important. Although he has been the mayor of Schreiber for the past two years, this will be the first time, should he be successful, that Mullins will have been directly elected into the role.
The other candidates — Kim Krause, Adam Cherry and Dominic Commisso — each have made their vision and priorities evident during their own door-to-door canvassing, citing infrastructure, housing and tourism as a few of the key issues that need to be addressed for Schreiber.
For Krause, whose biggest influence in deciding to run was his father, former Schreiber mayor Bob Krause, his priorities are promoting diversity on council and hoping to bring real change. His desire to develop better branding and attracting new business to the town are of prime importance.
Dominic Commisso, entered the mayoral race with a background in business, having also been self-employed for the past 35 years. Commisso sees the need to look at real ways to developing new revenue opportunities for Schreiber and looking at new industries. In his view, the town cannot just rely on the mill, the mine or the railroad.
Terrace Bay
Incumbent mayor Jody Davis is not seeking re-election. New names on the ballot include Gino Leblanc, a former councillor and previous mayoral hopeful. With this being his second run for the mayoral seat, he is hoping that this time he will be successful. He will be facing town councillor Paul Malashewski.
Leblanc was a member of Terrace Bay council for 12 years before losing his first bid for mayor in 2018.
Malashewski has been a town councillor for the past four years and credits his residency in the town and having dedicated 45 years as a volunteer in Terrace Bay, as an advantage he takes with him in this race.
Manitouwadge
Incumbent John MacEachern is facing competition from two other candidates in his re-election bid. MacEachern said he is running based on his leadership experience, having been mayor for the past 12 years. MacEachern describes several key projects, one being the revitalization of the town, which he hopes to be the one leading when the new council that will be sworn in.
Margaret Hartling, the town's former chief administrative officer, clerk and treasurer, believes her experience working with municipalities for the past 32 years positions her well to be mayor. Her vision includes addressing infrastructure needs and promoting economic development for Manitouwadge.
Jim Moffat, who has just completed his first term in council, said he sees the need to build better relationships with Pic River and Pic Mobert when addressing key issues faced by Manitouwadge.
Nipigon
With long-time mayor Richard Harvey not seeking re-election and instead vying for a council seat, two names will appear on the ballot for mayor.
Suzanne Kukko sees her key strengths as having spent years of owning her own business, working as the economic development officer for Nipigon and her many years volunteering in the community. Kukko believes community consultation is of prime importance when putting together a strategic plan, as community imput will better enable mayor and council when formulating this strategic plan.
James Foulds has been a councillor for Nipigon for 16 years. Foulds hopes his experience in that role will help him gain the mayor’s seat. He wants to keep working on current projects for the town including infrastructure improvements and developing the waterfront.
