Three candidates battle for mayor of Ramara Township
The race for the mayor's seat in Ramara Township is heating up as one candidate looks to shake things up.
"When people have problems, they like to be heard, and this community feels like their voice is not heard," said Russ Cole, mayoral candidate.
Cole is a new face on the scene, having moved to the community of more than 10,000 two years ago.
As CEO of an agricultural technology company, Cole feels it's all about building a foundation of trust and transparency.
"There's lack of communication. There is lack of accountability. There is lack of trust, so my number one priority is to open the doors for communication, and I think that that transparency, and record keeping and archiving of information, is so important because it allows us to build," Cole said. "We're a small community and my biggest goal for this community is to put ourselves on the map."
- VOTE: Township of Ramara voter information
- Here's who is running for mayor in the municipal election across the region
Cole is running against incumbent Basil Clarke, who is seeking a third term.
"We had an image problem here," Clarke said "We were't respected by our neighbours. We weren't respected by the province. We are now."
Clarke pointed to his track record of fiscal responsibility, high-speed internet, and plans to revitalize downtown Brechin, one of the fastest-growing areas in the township.
"The plan is about six months from being completed, had it not been put on hold from COVID, it would have been completed. So we have many exciting projects we just want to finish," Clarke noted.
"I hope people realize the good work I've done leading two successful terms and will give me the opportunity to lead the next successful term," he finished.
Clarke narrowly kept his mayoral title in the last election against Marg Sharpe, winning by a slim 14 votes.
Sharpe is also on the ballot again but declined CTV's request for an interview.
The municipal election is on October 24, with several voting options, including by phone or online, and in-person starting Saturday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.