Full field of candidates for municipal elections

The feds may have the big issues and the big budgets, but the local politicians are the people who deal with down to earth issues like drinking water, land use and garbage disposal. And among the lengthy list of candidates there are invariably neighbors—maybe even friends and family members—looking for your vote.

In the town of Digby, three councilors—Ben Cleveland, Sherri Lewis and Bob Handspiker—are competing for the position of mayor. That means two of the three won’t be returning to town council.

Competing for the six council spots are thirteen people: Mike Bartlett, Jean Brittain and Danny Harvieux, who have all previously served as councillors. Joining them in the race are Daniel F. Amero, Jennie Comeau Wheatley, Terry Gilbert Filmore, Brian Manzer, Ron Matsusaki, Nella Pidutti, Phil Robertson, Peter Turnbull, Lori VanTassel and Bob Vidito.

In the Municipality of Digby, school board members Donna Tidd and Faye Hayley are being returned by acclamation. African Nova Scotian representative Michael Alden Fells is being challenged by Doris Stephenson of Jordantown.

Jimmy MacAlpine, in District 1 and Randal Amero in District 5 are also sure of their seats, since no has challenged either of them.In District 2, Angela Lombard is not re-offering, and there’s an honest-to-goodness race on. This district covers the Brighton, Barton, North Range, Plympton area, but there’s no requirement that candidates reside in the district where they are running. Candidates are Maritza Adams, Liz Blinn, Peter Robertson, Paul Sullivan, Charlie Walker and Wanda Vantassel.

Linda Gregory and Victoria Wilson are competing for the seat in District 3.And in the Islands, District 4, Arden Derby and Jim Parsons will be up against James Thurber, who currently serves as current warden.

Warden and Deputy Warden and Deputy Mayor are elected by the councilors themselves.