The following article about the upcoming Municipal Election is from the Sarnia Observer July 28,2010.
SHAWN JEFFORDS The Observer
The mayor's job is up for grabs in Lambton Shores and the campaign promises to be a wild one with four declared candidates and electricity in the air.
When Gord Minielly announced in January he was ending a 30-year political career it created a political vacuum in Lambton County's "other" city.
And eager to fill it are three sitting councillors — Bill Weber, Mark Simpson and John Dehondt — and one newcomer, Marvin Wallace.
In fact, 17 candidates have already filed papers seeking a council seat and nominations don't close until Sept. 10.
Minielly said the "silly season" has begun in Lambton Shores.
Beachfront usage and a contentious sewer extension in Grand Bend are two key issues, and he's happy to let a new crop of politicians duke it out, he said.
"There's a group in the Bend that thinks (council) is evil, and they're trying to put a candidate in every ward," he said. "They're trying to overthrow the government. There's lots of s...t going on."
With three councillors seeking the mayor's job, seats have opened up the wards, inspiring an influx of new candidates, Minielly said.
"The incumbent always has an edge. Because there's no incumbent in those wards there's quite a big interest."
The large slate of candidates is unusual so early in an election cycle, said former Grand Bend Mayor Bob Sharen.
The response reflects a lack of transparency on council over the sewer extension in the Bend, he said.
"It's going to get heated, or at least I hope so. That makes it interesting."
Sharen, who considered running himself, said even more mayoral hopeful may yet enter the fray.
"I'm hearing rumours of at least one more candidate who may come out of the woodwork," he said.
Despite hard feelings created by the sewer issue, Sharen said he hopes the coming debate is civil.
"The candidates need to focus on the issues, not personalities. I think the new people will have an edge in this election. ... They have to get out and let everyone find out what they're really like."
The charged atmosphere in Lambton Shores is in sharp contrast to the quiet mood in Sarnia, which has no declared candidates for mayor and just four council candidates.
Minielly believes Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley will run again but he won't declare until the last minute.
As for himself, Minielly said he plans to be a regular citizen again free of the constraints of political life. Asked specifically what he intends to do, the mayor replied he wasn't sure.
"I guess I'll do whatever I want," he said with a laugh.
Welcome to Grand Bend!!!
The final component of the recent revitalization of Main St. Grand Bend went into place recently. The new "Gateway" was included in the project as homage to the old "Welcome" sign that used to span the Main St. The project received nearly $1,500,000.00 in Federal / Provincial funding support from the Stimulus Program.
