At least two members of Owen Sound council will stand for re-election this fall.
Councillor Bill Twaddle filed his nomination papers on Monday after City County Councillor Arlene Wright filed her papers last week.
Both say they are driven to run again by a desire to see through projects Owen Sound has embarked upon recently, notably the Regional Recreation Centre.
Twaddle — a former journalist who is now the community development coordinator for the Alzheimer Society Grey-Bruce — was first elected to council in 1997.
He was re-elected in 2000, 2003 and 2006.
Twaddle says he is passionate in his support for the regional recreation centre and has also been very active in planning for upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant.
He says such projects will make for a better life in Owen Sound now and well into the future.
Twaddle says council must always be aware of the need for long-term planning — noting the city benefits today from far-sighted decisions like the Big Dig and servicing along 16th Street East that has allowed for continued commercial development in that part of Owen Sound.
Wright was first elected to council in 2003 and was acclaimed City – County councillor in 2006, giving her one of Owen Sound’s two seats on Grey County Council.
She is serving as Grey County’s warden this year.
Wright had intended to not run again for council, making her year as warden her political swan song, but she says she enjoys being busy and has a number of things she’d like to see accomplished.
Her priorities include reining in council spending.
While the county was successful at achieving a tax decrease at budget time this year, Wright says that will be increasingly difficult to do in the future, and municipalities like Owen Sound must do their part to cut costs.
Deputy city manager and clerk Glen Henry says no other current members of council have filed nomination papers.
The nomination deadline is September 10th, one month from today.
Municipal elections across Ontario will take place on October 25th.
