A total of 11 candidates have submitted their nomination packages to be elected to Kitimat’s local government.
Chief election officer for the District of Kitimat, Kiona Enders announced the candidates for the 2022 general local election on Sept. 9. The election will be held on October 15, to elect the mayor and six councillors.
Nominations closed at 4 p.m. (Sept. 9) and incumbent mayor Phil Germuth remained unopposed, making him mayor by acclamation. The declaration of election/acclamation for mayor will be made at 4 p.m. on Monday, September 19.
Ten nominees are looking to fill six available councillor positions. Among them are three incumbent councillors Edwin Empinado, Mario Feldhoff and Terry Marleau.
Coun. Mark Zielinski who previously announced he would be seeking re-election ultimatel decided not to run for council this year.
Claire Rattée, who served on Kitimat council prior to 2018 and also ran unsuccessfully as the conservative candidate for Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP in 2021, has also filed her nomination papers.
Other nominees include former Northern Sentinel editor Gerry Leibel, Chelsea Bossence, Michelle Martins, Leah McCormick, Colton Patrong and Graham Pitzel.
The campaign period officially starts Saturday, Sept. 17. There will be advance polls Wednesday, Oct. 5 and Wednesday, Oct. 12 in addition to general voting Oct. 15.