East Gwillimbury residents invited to get involved in election, earn $200

YorkRegion.com
July 30, 2014
By Laura Finney

If you are interested in learning more about the municipal election process and would like to get paid to do so, the town would like to meet you.

The municipality will hire about 130 residents to work Oct. 27 to assist in customer service and other duties as required, it announced this week.

These positions provide a good opportunity to help out the community and the pay’s not bad either at around $200 for a day’s work.

 “It’s about contributing back to your own municipality,” town clerk Fernando Lamanna said.

“There’s a sense of excitement when working election day and finding out what the results are at the end of the day,” he added.

Application forms are available at town hall or on the town’s website where qualifications are listed, as well. You have until Aug. 22 to apply.

And if you are interested in helping lead the town’s growth and change over the next four years, there is still time run as a councillor or, if you have bigger aspirations, the mayor.

Deadline to register in person is Sept. 12 at 2 p.m. at the municipal office with an appointment.

To qualify for office, you must be a Canadian citizen who is at least 18, live or own property in East Gwillimbury or be the spouse of someone who does.

So far, registered candidates for mayor include incumbent Virginia Hackson and Councillor Cathy Morton.

Candidates for council include current councillors John Eaton, Marlene Johnston and Tara Roy-DiClemente.

Also running are Jack Hauseman, Greg McLaren, Joe Persechini and Paul Taylor.

William H. Petrie is running for English public school trustee, Theresa McNicol for English separate school trustee and Kathleen Beal for French separate school trustee.

No one is running, as of yet, for French public school trustee.

Election day is Oct. 27 and Lamanna urges you to vote.

 “Realistically, it’s the most important level of government and the most accessible level of government to the residents,” he said, adding municipal governments affect residents’ everyday life with issues such as children’s programs, roads, parks and recreation.

Despite that, Lamanna noted municipal elections still have the lowest voter turnout.

This year, the York Region District School Board has designated Oct. 27 as a PA day, to accommodate school election poll locations.

Information about the election, candidates and voting process are available at the town’s website, under the Government tab.