Nominations are Open!

Today's the day, gang! The election year officially kicks off today at city hall. So, if you're at all interested in running for Mayor, city council or Trustee for the Upper Grand or Wellington Catholic District School Boards, head down to the city clerk's office to get your nomination papers. Are you eligible? What do you have to do to get nominated? Here are the details straight from the City's website:

To run for the position of mayor or councillor, you must be
• a Canadian citizen
• at least 18 years of age
• a resident of the city of Guelph, or the owner or tenant of property in the city of Guelph (or the spouse of an owner or tenant)
• eligible to vote
• not disqualified to hold office by any legislation

To run for the position of school board trustee, you must be
• a Canadian citizen
• at least 18 years of age
• a resident in the school board’s area of jurisdiction
• eligible to vote for the school board
• not disqualified to hold office by any legislation

Nomination forms will be available in the City Clerk’s Office on January 4, 2010.

The following nomination filing fees apply
• $200 for the Office of Mayor
• $100 for the Office of City Councillor, School Board Trustee

The filing fee must be paid either in cash, by certified cheque or by money order made payable to the City of Guelph. Nomination forms, signed by the candidate, may be filed in person or by a candidate’s agent at the City Clerk’s Office, 4th Floor, City Hall, 1 Carden St, Guelph. Subject to proclamation of amendments to the Municipal Elections Act, the last day to file a nomination paper is September 10, 2010.

Lois A. Giles
City Clerk and Returning Officer
City of Guelph
1 Carden St
Guelph, ON N1H 3A1
T 519-837-5603

Then there's that whole thing about running for office and meeting people and researching the issues. Sure you have until September 10th, but to be on the safe side, nominate yourself early and nominate yourself often.