Peterborough Blogs
Mayoral Candidate Interview: Coun. Henry Clarke
/Felicia Massey speaks with mayoral candidate Coun. Henry Clarke for the upcoming municipal election this Monday. Massey and Clarke discuss the struggles citizens have in Peterborough, the environment, homelessness and the housing crisis.
Mayoral Candidate Interview: Jeff Leal
/Felicia Massey speaks with mayoral candidate and former MPP Jeff Leal for the upcoming municipal election this Monday. Massey and Leal discuss what Leal has been doing since four years after his MPP term ended, his return to politics and what he plans to tackle if elected.
Mayoral Candidate Interview: Coun. Stephen Wright
/David Tuan Bui speaks with mayoral candidate Coun. Stephen Wright for the upcoming municipal election occurring on Monday. Bui and Wright discuss the third economic wave, the drug addiction and homelessness issue and address community facilities.
Mayor Diane Therrien Declares State of Emergency On Homelessness
/Mayor Diane Therrien has declared a state of emergency on homelessness after calling a special city council meeting on Thursday.
Mayor Diane Therrien was first elected back in 2018, defeating incumbent Daryl Bennett. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Therrien is acting alone on the matter as city council made no motion to make the declaration.
“I’ve called a Special Meeting of Council for this Thursday to receive an update from (and provide direction to, if needed) staff about the plans for ensuring unhoused folks have access to indoor space this fall/winter,” said Therrien in a Tweet.
She is following suit with cities such as St. Catharines, Niagara Falls and Ottawa which have also declared states of emergency.
Sandra Clancy, chief administrative officer says that due to the timing of when this emergency has been declared, rules within Municipal Act curb the ability of city council and senior staff to spend money during the lame duck period.
The declaration is in name only for the time being as additional funds from federal or provincial governments cannot be received nor is the city able to spend its own money.
The city must wait during the lame duck period before the new city council is elected on Oct. 24 and officially sworn in on Nov. 28.
City of Peterborough Release Rules Regarding Election Sign Placement
/With the municipal election underway, rules for election signs and their placement have been released by the City of Peterborough on Tuesday.
File photo.
The city’s sign by-law states that they cannot be placed on any property owned by the City of Peterborough before Labour Day for a municipal election and they need to be removed no later than three days after voting day.
Since Sept. 5, election signs are allowed on certain City-owned properties, specifically on boulevards next to roads as long as rules on size and placement are followed.
Election signs are not allowed to be placed in public parks or outside of City facilities.
Election signs are allowed on City property next to roads if the following rules are respected to protect sightlines for safety. Signs cannot be placed within the travelled portion of a road or a sidewalk. Signs that are taller than 0.9 metres cannot be placed:
within a “sight triangle” at the intersection of two roads that extends six metres from the intersection in each direction, which is illustrated in Figure 1 below; or
within three metres of the road as illustrated in Figure 2 below.
Election signs are also prohibited on properties when used as voting locations. This includes advance voting locations and on Election Day.
The City encourages candidates and supporters to put their election signs on private property.
Election signs that violate the by-law or election procedures will be removed by the City.
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Peterborough Residents Can Now Register Ahead Of October Municipal Election
/Residents, owners, and tenants of property in the City of Peterborough who are a minimum of 18 years of age can now confirm that they are registered to vote in the Oct. 24 municipal and school board elections online and in person at City Hall.
Photo by Luke Best.
Registering in advance helps ensure a seamless voting experience and is necessary for those who plan to vote online.
Residents can visit peterboroughvotes.ca to check that they are on the voters list. If they are not registered, residents can upload a form of identification that confirms their name and qualifying City of Peterborough address online. City staff will review submissions and email voter notification cards to verified voters.
Residents who prefer to register in person are welcome to stop into the City Clerk's office at City Hall. There is free, 30-minute parking on George Street between McDonnel Street and Murray Street. City Hall business hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Staff will verify their identification and eligibility to vote, register them on the voters list, and print out their card, all in one trip.
Students living in Peterborough while attending school can vote in the Peterborough municipal election as well as in their home municipality.
People who are experiencing homelessness, or do not have a permanent home or a fixed address can vote based on the location they have slept in the most during the 5 weeks leading up to the election.
Both online and in-person voting will be available for the 2022 municipal election. Online voting starts Oct. 1 and ends Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. In-person voting will be available at advance voting locations on Saturday, Oct. 8, Saturday, Oct. 15, and Saturday, October 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on election day on Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. An advance voting location that provides enhanced accessibility features will be available at City Hall, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily from Oct. 17 to Oct. 21.
Voter Notification Cards will be sent to registered voters by mail in late September or early October. The notification card will specify the assigned voting location for the registered voter. Voters who choose to vote in person must vote in their designated ward. All voting locations are barrier-free for people with disabilities. Online voting is a convenient option that will allow registered voters to vote from anywhere using a smartphone, tablet, or computer with internet access.
Details on voting options are posted on the municipal election website at peterboroughvotes.ca. Inquiries can be made by calling 705-742-7777 and selecting option 7 for the election hotline.
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Douro-Dummer Mayor and County Warden J. Murray Jones Retiring From Politics, Reflects on 24-Year Career
/After 24 years of public service as a municipal politician, Peterborough County Warden and Douro-Dummer mayor Jim Murray Jones is not seeking re-election and is retiring from politics.
Jones organizes dinner theatre for his local church, cruise nights and cites the Remembrance Day service as one of his favourite events as mayor. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Jones began his political career in 1998 as a Douro-Dummer Councillor, the first year both townships became amalgamated. He was elected as mayor in 2003 and elected as Chair of the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus in 2011.
“I've been at it locally in municipal government for 24 years. I can't believe it has gone by that fast,” said Jones. “It seems like five years ago since I started, it's unbelievable.”
Jones cited his reasoning for retirement as that ‘it’s time.’
“It's really hard to explain,” said Jones. “I know it's time and I've come to peace with it. I'm just looking forward to taking it a little easier with a little less stress in my life.”
Since Jones is retiring as mayor of Douro-Dummer, he also must step down as the county warden. A role he has served for over 11 years. He says you have to be a mayor/deputy of your local township in order to work with the county.
Jones says honesty was a major reason why he has had a long tenure in local politics.
“I don't think I've promised things that can't be delivered,” he explained. “I think I've treated everyone in a respectful way and given everyone an opportunity to say what they want. I've just tried to be human, tried to be honest and tried to be fair with everyone.”
He credits his sense of humour and good-hearted nature to helping himself and others service his community best.
"There’s always time for humour. That's kind of my mainstay. The world does not have to be that serious,” he said. “We're lucky to live where we are, we're lucky to have what we've got and we're lucky that we have the ability to help those who are less fortunate so mesh all those together and stop being so damn serious and let's just do what needs to be done with a smile on your face."
The soon-retired mayor says one of his proudest works during his time was commemorating the Remembrance Day Cenotaph annually in November. Jones narrated a war memorial video for last year’s ceremony as the centennial anniversary.
“That's something that's very, very, very important to me and I never want to see that fade away,” he explained. “It's something that gives me chills up and down my back as it did years ago and it still does today.”
Prior to his political career, Jones worked in radio. He was employed by CKBT-FM and Country 105 for many years. He founded a one-man monthly news outlet called “Dummer News” for 20 years. He has covered meetings for Dummer and Douro-Dummer after the amalgamation during that stretch.
Jones is his off-time sings in a rock band called “Mike and the Mustangs,” works on audio and video projects and enjoys driving his 1957 Morris Minor.
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What You Need To Know About Voting In the Municipal Election On Oct. 24
/With the nomination period closed last Friday, several offices including mayor, councillors and school board trustee positions are part of this year’s municipal election that starts on Oct. 24.
Photo by Luke Best.
The 2022 municipal election includes the office of Mayor of the City of Peterborough, two Councillors for each of the City's five wards, School Board Trustees for the English Public and English Separate school boards.
Residents can vote for one candidate in the office of Mayor, up to two Councillors for their respective wards and a Trustee for both of the school boards.
Visit the interactive online ward map to determine which one you reside in.
Polls are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Anyone eligible can do online advanced polls starting on Oct. 1. Advance accessible voting is available on Oct. 17 - 21 from 10 p.m. to 4 p.m at City Hall.
Advanced voting opportunities are available on Oct.8, 15 and 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the following offices:
Ward 1: Healthy Planet Arena, 911 Monaghan Rd.
Ward 2: Westdale United Church, 1509 Sherbrooke St.
Ward 3: Peterborough Public Library, 345 Aylmer St. N.
Ward 4: Lions Club, 347 Burnham St.
Ward 5: Northview Community Church, 1000 Fairbairn St.
The following are voting locations for each ward respectively:
Ward 1
Peterborough Sports & Wellness Centre, 775 Brealey Dr.
Roger Neilson Public School, 550 Erskine Ave.
Healthy Planet Arena, 911 Monaghan Rd. (accessible voting equipment)
Ward 2
Mapleridge Recreation Centre, 1085 Brealey Dr.
Westdale United Church, 1509 Sherbrooke St. (accessible voting equipment)
St. Teresa's Catholic School, 1525 Fairmount Blvd.
Ward 3
Knights of Columbus, 317 Hunter St. W
Peterborough Public Library, 345 Aylmer St. N (accessible voting equipment)
Children’s Montessori School, 186 Romaine St.
Ward 4
Lions Club, 347 Burnham St.
Otonabee Valley Public School, 580 River Rd. S
Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School, 1009 Armour Rd.
Ward 5
Riverview Park & Zoo, 1300 Water St.
Edmison Heights Public School, 1111 Royal Dr.
Activity Haven, 180 Barnardo Ave.
Northview Community Church, 1000 Fairbairn St.
The following is a list of certified candidates and their respective offices:
Mayor
Stephen Wright
Henry Clarke
Jeff Leal
Victor Kruez
Brian Lumsden
Councillor - Ward 1 - Otonabee
Kevin Duguay
Lesley Parnell
Nathan Russell-Meharry
Eleanor Underwood
Chanté White
Councillor - Ward 2 - Monaghan
Matt Crowley
Charmaine Magumbe
Lyle Saunders
Don Vassiliadis
Jeff Westlake
Tom Wigglesworth
Councillor - Ward 3 - Town
Alex Bierk
Brian Christoph
Vickie Karikas
Joy Lachica
Dean Pappas
Councillor - Ward 4 - Ashburnham
Garv Baldwin
Andrew MacGregor
Keith Riel
Councillor - Ward 5 - Northcrest
Aldo Andreoli
Andrew Beamer
Karen Grant
Dave Haacke
Carlotta James
Shauna Kingston
Trustee - Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board
Wayne Bonner
Rose Kitney
Steve Russell
Trustee - Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board
Mike Ayotte
Daniel Demers
Loretta Durst
Anthony Petrasek
Residents can visit voterlookup.ca to determine if they are on the voters’ list.
Identification (ID) is required when you vote that has your name and address. Two pieces of ID may be necessary in some cases as the City of Peterborough urges some people to be prepared.
You may provide an original, or certified/notarized copy, of any of the following documents:
Ontario driver’s licence
Ontario Health Card (photo card)
Ontario Photo Card
Ontario motor vehicle permit (vehicle portion)
cancelled personalized cheque
mortgage statement, lease or rental agreement relating to property in Ontario
insurance policy or insurance statement
loan agreement or other financial agreement with a financial institution
document issued or certified by a court in Ontario
any other document from the government of Canada, Ontario or a municipality in Ontario or from an agency or such a government
any document from a Band Council in Ontario established under the Indian Act (Canada)
income tax assessment notice
child tax benefit statement
statement of employment insurance benefits paid T4E
statement of old age security T4A (OAS)
statement of Canada Pension Plan benefits T4A (P)
Canada Pension Plan statement of contributions
statement of direct deposit for Ontario Works
statement of direct deposit for Ontario Disability Support Program
Workplace Safety and Insurance Board statement of benefits T5007
property tax assessment
credit card statement, bank account statement, or RRSP, RRIF, RHOSP or T5 statement
CNIB Card or a card from another registered charitable organization that provides services to persons with disabilities
hospital card or record
document showing campus residence, issued by the office or officials responsible for student residence at a post-secondary institution
document showing residence at a long-term care home under the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007, issued by the Administrator for the home
utility bill for hydro, water, gas, telephone or cable TV or a bill from a public utilities commission
cheque stub, T4 statement or pay receipt issued by an employer
transcript or report card from a post-secondary school
In the case of homelessness or anyone with no permanent/fixed address, you can still vote. Your ward is determined by where you slept the most during the five weeks leading up to the election.
You can vote even if you are unable to provide ID by going to a voting location in your designated ward on any advance vote or election day. Seek out any election staff to aid you in voting upon arrival.
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Jim Coyle Announces Bid For Mayor of Douro-Dummer
/Longtime resident Jim Coyle officially launched his campaign for Mayor of Douro-Dummer at the Douro-Dummer Community Centre on Thursday.
Jim Coyle (left) receiving a full endorsement from current mayor and Peterborough County warden J. Murray Jones (right). Photo by David Tuan Bui.
