Many choices for voters

By The Chronicle-Journal
Thunder Bay Votes - Thunder Bay Votes 2010
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Thunder Bay voters will have plenty of choices in the upcoming municipal election.
Seventy-seven candidates have registered to run in this year’s election. That number includes the mayoral race, five at-large seats and seven ward seats on Thunder Bay city council as well as trustees for four school boards.
Six people have thrown their hats in the ring for the mayor’s chair. Hoping to return for another term is current mayor Lynn Peterson, who’s challenged by her council colleague Frank Pullia.
Retired Thunder Bay police officer and former head of the police association Keith Hobbs, and residents Colin Burridge, Jeff Irwin and Brian Kwasny round out the race.
The race for the five councillor-at-large seats is a crowded one — 19 candidates are registered, among them current councillors Iain Angus, Rebecca Johnson, Larry Hebert and Aldo Ruberto.
In addition, former councillors Lawrence Timko, Ken Boshcoff and Dick Waddington are seeking a return to city hall. The race is rounded out by Cindy Crowe, Gerald Graham, Iqbal Khan, Marvin Robert McMenemy, Beatrice Metzler, Richard Moorey, Sharon Ostberg, Sydney Pettit, Darren Roberts, Norman Sponchia, Norm Staal and Tyler Woods.
The Current River ward is facing a two-way race between incumbent Andrew Foulds and newcomer Andy Wolff.
In the McIntyre ward, incumbent Trevor Giertuga is being challenged by Michael Komar, Trudy Tuchenhagen, Christopher Watkins and Terrence Yahn.
McKellar will see a new face represent the neighbourhood, as current council member Robert Tuchenhagen isn’t in the race. Rather, that seat will be filled by David Nicholson, Paul Pugh or Robin Rickards.
Coun. Linda Rydholm is hoping to reclaim her Neebing seat by beating out former councillor Bill Scollie, as well as Don Sinclair and Henry Wojak. Gary Shchepanik’s name will be on the ballot, but he has just announced he’s withdrawing from the race due to work obligations.
In Northwood, Frank Armiento and David Polhill are both looking to take over from Coun. Mark Bentz, who’s seeking another term.
Coun. Brian McKinnon is up against Laury Alexander, Jay Stapleton and Paul Wolfe for the Red River seat; in Westfort, Coun. Joe Virdiramo will need to fend off Jeffrey John Polhill and John Radl if he hopes to continue as a councillor.
One contender will be disappointed in the trustee race at the English public school board as nine candidates vie for eight seats. Marg Arnone, Frank Grant, Pat Johansen, Lori Lukinuk, Deborah Massaro, Ron Oikonen, Jack Playford, George Saarinen and Karen Wilson are all registered.
Meanwhile, at the English separate school board, the race is between Eleanor Ashe, Don Cattani, William Cella, Theresa Ciccone, Robert Degagne, Jeff Howie, Bob Hupka, Genevieve Knauff, Donna Mahoney, Kathy O’Brien, Tony Romeo and Hanni Vale. The 12 candidates are fighting for seven seats.
This election’s only acclamation is coming at the French public board, where Anne-Marie Gelinault is the only registered candidate.
The French separate school board has Diane Breton, Claudette Gleeson, Mariette Langevin, Lina Mayer and Serge Paradis fighting for four spots.

Election day is Monday, Oct. 25.
Advance voting takes place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at:

  • Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre at 700 River St., on Oct. 12 and 13 (Accessible Voting Available);
  • West Thunder Community Centre at 915 S. Edward St., on Oct. 14 and 15 (Accessible Voting Available);
  • Intercity Shopping Centre parking lot, on the corner of Memorial Avenue and Isabel Street, on Oct. 16.