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Starting gates fill for election races

Rev. Paul MacNeil is breathing easier after Nomination Day last Friday. The candidate for the Niagara District Catholic School Board stood unopposed. His is one of two acclamations in Pelham.
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Rev. Paul MacNeil is breathing easier after Nomination Day last Friday.

The candidate for the Niagara District Catholic School Board stood unopposed.

His is one of two acclamations in Pelham. The other is Derrick Fournier on the French public school board.

“I’m absolutely elated to be acclaimed in the school board election, and I’m looking forward to another four years of service to Niagara Catholic,” said MacNeil, pastor of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Fenwick.

Pelham’s voters on Election Day, Monday, Oct. 27, will have choices for Mayor, for Ward 1, Ward 2 and Ward 3 councillors, for regional councillor and for the District School Board of Niagara.

Last minute entries on Friday created contests for almost all Pelham positions.

All town council incumbents -- Mayor Dave Augustyn, Ward 1 councillors Richard Rybiak and James Lane, Ward 2 councillors Gary Accursi and Catherine King, and, Ward 3 councillors John Durley and Peter Papp -- are seeking re-election.

Two newcomers, Mark Bay and Zachary Junkin, will try to unseat Augustyn.

In Ward 1, Marvin Junkin, Zachary’s father, makes it a three-way contest with Rybiak and Lane for two seats.

Tara Druzina, who had filed nomination papers, withdrew on Sept. 11.

In Ward 2, Larry Frost, Justin O’Donnell and Andrew Robertson will fence with    Accursi and King for two seats.

In Ward 3, last minute nominees Wally Braun and Bill Heska made it a four-way with Durley and Papp for two seats.

For regional councillor, incumbent Brian Baty now has two challengers: James Inman and Anthony Annuziata.

Dale Ann Robinson, the incumbent trustee for District School Board of Niagara, will compete with John Piccolo .

In the French Separate school board contest, Wafkin Abadir will oppose Jules Letourneau.

Although acclaimed to the Catholic board, MacNeil said he hopes people take this election very seriously, especially in those areas where there are races for trustee.

“I really hope everybody takes the time to get involved in the election and to vote,” he said.

“Your voice matters!”