Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
BERWICK – Marcel Lafrance will be the one new face on North Stormont council this term. Lafrance is an active community member who previously served as a volunteer firefighter with the township for 7 years. Lafrance’s platform focused on efficiency, affordability, and opportunity, stating that he is not running for council to reinvent the wheel but better question the decisions that impact the community.
Incumbent Mayor Francois Landry and Deputy Mayor Steve Densham were previously acclaimed as they ran unopposed. Charles Shane was voted in with 1,102 votes (24.4 per cent), Marcel Lafrance with 1,074 votes (23.8 per cent), and Adrian Bugelli with 899 votes (19.9 per cent). Candidates David MacDonald and Pete Jack received 803 (17.8 per cent) and 619 (13.7 per cent) votes, respectively.
Similarly, school board trustees were all acclaimed as they ran unopposed. They are John Danaher (UCDSB), Jacques Heroux (CSDCEO), Karen E. McAllister (CDSB), and Mathieu Tondreau (CEPEO).
One thing that stood out for some voters this year was the lack of a formal all candidates debate in North Stormont. After attending a voter’s information session and realizing that it didn’t give information about candidates running, first time voter William Slykhuis and his friends organized a debate themselves, which took place on Oct. 19 at the Monkland Community Centre.
“It’s my first time voting in a municipal election, so I was looking online, not really seeing much information,” explained Slyhuis, “I thought that the voter information sessions were going to be a chance to get some information. I attended that and I went, oh no, this is literally just about voting. So that night, I set this up.”
Due to the last minute nature, the only candidates available to attend were David MacDonald and Pete Jack.
Graduated from University of Ottawa with a BA in Communications, minor in psychology in 2015. Passionate about sharing stories, supporting businesses/ entrepreneurs. Started in freelance work writing about the crowdfunding industry and worked in marketing prior to writing for Seaway News in 2022/23. Married with three boys, a dog and cat. Enjoys reading and crochet, is a certified yoga instructor. Even though I am from Cornwall, my family enjoys taking day trips in the area and I was born and raised here. I look forward to getting to know North Stormont better and report on community events/highlights, as well as issues that concern residents.
