The race for mayor in Canada’s Prettiest Town, has been anything but pretty. Personal insults have been hurled by supporters of the two candidates against each other online for several weeks now. Incumbent Mayor Trevor Bazinet is seeking his first mandate from the residents of Goderich. He was appointed to the top job by his fellow councilors in August 2023, following the untimely death of then mayor, Myles Murdock. Previous to that, Bazinet spent eight years as a Goderich councilor, and one year as deputy mayor before taking over as Mayor. Challenging Bazinet is Steve Buchanan, who used to the own the Port Albert General Store, and once ran for the Liberal party in the riding of London North. The personal nature of this campaign has brought out voters, with more than 41 per cent of Goderich’s registered voters, already casting ballots. Further up the coast, Ken Craig is seeking his second term as Kincardine’s mayor. Challenging him in the rapidly growing shoreline community fueled largely by the Bruce Power Nuclear plant, are former Kincardine Reeve, and former Bruce County M.P.P Barb Fisher, and two term Kincardine Councilor Bill Stewart. In Saugeen Shores, also seeing massive growth as a result of Bruce Power, Luke Charbonneau is seeking his third term as Mayor. He’s challenged by two first-time candidates Jeff James, and Brian Putnam, both from Southampton. There will be a new mayor in Owen Sound. Incumbent Ian Boddy is not running for re-election. 6 residents are seeking to replace him, Richard Thomas, Ray Botten, Jodi King, Carol Merton, Mike Seiler, and Andrii Zvorygin. In Southern Huron County, George Finch is seeking his 3rd term as Mayor for the Municipality of South Huron. He’s being challenged by former South Huron Mayor Maureen Cole, and three term South Huron councilor Ted Oke. These are just some of the races, we’ll be covering tonight, across Midwestern Ontario.
