Mayor Cheryl Ganann of West Lincoln, Ontario, has secured a second term in office without any opposition, as announced by the township. The news of her re-election by acclamation came alongside the unveiling of the councillor nominations for Ward 1 (Caistor) and Ward 2 (Gainsborough).
This turn of events took Mayor Ganann by surprise, as she had been gearing up to campaign for the upcoming municipal election on October 26, having already prepared campaign materials like signs and t-shirts.
The township is experiencing rapid growth, with the population projected to double to 38,370 and 1,100 housing drafts approved, according to the 2021 land needs assessment report by the Niagara Region. Mayor Ganann expressed relief at being able to continue her work, stating, “The reason I wanted to be mayor again was to see those things through… So many things we began, but you don’t see those things in a term.”
In response to the recent passing of Coun. Mike Rehner of Ward 1 (Caistor), leaving only one incumbent for that ward, Mayor Ganann paid tribute to him, highlighting his passion and dedication to the community over five terms. She described him as both determined and feisty in council meetings, with a soft spot for West Lincoln.
The township honored Coun. Rehner by flying flags at half-mast across all municipal facilities until after his funeral. Meanwhile, Joann Chechalk, the incumbent councillor for Ward 2 (Gainsborough), is seeking re-election for another term. Additional candidates vying for election include:
Ward 1 (Caistor) candidates:
– Danny Bilan
– Paul Griffin
– Jason Trombetta (incumbent)
– Albert Witteveen
Ward 2 (Gainsborough) candidates:
– Marlene Bergsma
– Joann Chechalk (incumbent)
– Edward Dunn
– Gord MacCharles
– Erin Schutten
In Ward 3, incumbents Greg Maychak and William Reilly have secured their seats on the township council unopposed. Nathalie Dufour Seguin and Sonia Macaluso won the French Catholic and French public board trustee seats by acclamation, respectively. Moreover, new candidates are running for trustee positions on the English school boards in the area.
Residents of West Lincoln and Wainfleet can elect a trustee for the English-language public school board, while another trustee candidate is sought for Grimsby, Lincoln, and West Lincoln’s English-language Catholic school board. The trustee candidates for the District School Board of Niagara and the Niagara Catholic District School Board are as follows:
District School Board of Niagara trustee candidates:
– Edward Fulford
– John Mollicone
Niagara Catholic District School Board trustee candidates for Grimsby, Lincoln, and West Lincoln:
– Lynn Dudok
– Alex Joyner
– Leanne Prince