The following article appeared in the December 21 edition of the Guelph Mercury:
When city residents head to the polls next October, there should be plenty of familiar names on the ballots.
While some city councillors reached on the weekend were hesitant to tip their hands, none indicated definitively 2010 will be their last year on the job.
“I haven’t quite made up my mind, but at this point I’m planning to run again,” said Ward 1 rep Kathleen Farrelly, one of seven councillors elected for the first time in 2006. “I’m not a kid any more, but as long as my health is OK I think I will run.
“I’ve discovered this is what I wanted to be when I grew up.”
The next municipal election will be held Oct. 25, 2010. The city clerk’s office will begin accepting nominations Jan. 4; the first day of business in the new year.
Ward 6 Coun. Karl Wettstein, who served on council between 2000 and 2003 and was re-elected in 2006, said he has been thinking about whether to throw his hat in again “but I’m not 100 per cent either way.
“I think I’m sort of leaning (toward running),” Wettstein said, adding he expects most councillors will firm-up their intentions by the end of March.
“I think it’s only fair to people who are thinking of running to make that announcement fairly early on,” Wettstein said. “I won’t wait too long.”
Vicki Beard isn’t waiting at all.
“I’m going to run,” the Ward 2 representative said this weekend. “There are a lot of things I’m looking forward to doing in a second term.
“In the last year (of the term) a lot of people are talking about it,” Beard said, “but a lot of them likely won’t tell you what their plans are.”
Mayor Karen Farbridge said she is “obviously giving (another run) serious consideration,” but has not yet decided whether to seek a third term as the head of council.
“I’m going to make that decision early in the new year,” Farbridge said.
She was a councillor from 1994 to 2000, then served as mayor until 2003 and was re-elected in 2006.
Lise Burcher, who was elected to represent Ward 5 in 2003, said while she has “not really focused” yet on the next election, “I’d have to say I’m planning to run again next year.”
Burcher said she finds council work “exhilarating,” though it can be difficult to balance her city commitments with family life and a faculty position at the University of Guelph.
Ian Findlay can relate.
The Ward 2 councillor, also elected for the first time in 2006, said it can be difficult to juggle many responsibilities.
“I have thought about it and I’m going to consider it further,” Findlay said. “I certainly love the job.”