MANITOUWADGE -- There’s still time to get your name in for the Manitouwadge municipal elections, but hurry! The deadline for filing your nomination is only two weeks away; Aug. 19, 2022 at 2 p.m. Two nominations for mayor, and six nominations for councillor have already been filed as of Aug. 4, 2022. There have been no nominations for any of the four available school board trustee positions.
As an elected member of the town council, you will play a vital role in the structural, physical, social and financial wellbeing of the township and its people. It is the council’s responsibility to shape priorities, create plans of action and make decisions that will affect the lives of residents, businesses, and visitors.
School board trustees are the community's advocate for public education. Their role is to maintain a focus on student achievement, well-being and equity, and to participate in making decisions that benefit the board's entire jurisdiction while representing the interests of their constituents. Trustees must also communicate the views and decisions of the board back to their constituents.
Besides the personal satisfaction and pride in being a part of the running of your town, there is a modest financial remuneration. At the July 13, 2022 meeting, the Manitouwadge council approved bylaw 2022-32, which provided for a 20 per cent wage increase. As of Nov. 15, the mayor will receive $9,888 annually, and members of the council will receive $6,180. For each of the approximately 20 regular and/or special meetings attended by the mayor or councillor, an additional $55 is paid. There are similar honoraria for the school board trustee positions.
When deciding whether to run, it’s important to consider what kind of impact the position will have on your personal and family life, as the task of responsibility and duty will be very stressful at times. Your life may become an open book; your values, ideas and standards will all be closely scrutinized. You must be approachable, flexible, patient and diplomatic, both when you are campaigning and as an elected official.
Ultimately, seeking an elected position is about passion and commitment. It’s about striving to fulfill the people’s vision of what they want Manitouwadge to be today, tomorrow and for future generations. It’s about wanting the best for the town you call home.
If you have the desire, drive and determination it takes to become Manitouwadge’s next mayor, councillor or school trustee, you have until Aug. 19, 2022 to file your nomination. Election day is Oct. 24, 2022. You can find more information on the Manitouwadge Township website 2022 Municipal & School Board Elections.