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Keeping you informed about October 2020 Keeping you informed about October 2020
your municipal government your municipal government
Welcome to a special edition of the
municipal insight! It's special because
the information contained within these pages
has only one purpose: to inform you about the
upcoming Municipal Election.
If you're a master at voting in Municipal
Elections, feel free to skip over the next few
paragraphs. If you're new or unfamiliar with
municipal government and how you are
represented, read on constituent!
The Municipality is divided into seven
municipal districts; each one represented by one
person who is chosen by the electors (people
elegible to vote) of that district (councillors).
Every four years, people (candidates)
interested in being one of those representatives
(and who meet the criteria) file nomination
papers with the Returning Officer and
commence campaigning to be elected by their
neighbours within a district. Candidates can run
in any district they choose, not necessarily the
district where their home is.
It's up to those neighbours (electors) to elect
the candidate that they feel will best represent
their needs and vision for their community and
municipality. Having a familiarity with candidate
platforms, current issues that can be addressed
at the local level, and municipal roles and
responsibilities could help with your decision.
So once candidates have declared and
campaigns are underway, it's time to focus on the
Election itself. As usual, COVID-19 threatened
to ruin our plans, but in early summer, the
Provincial Government decided to proceed
with an election as long as municipalities could
ensure the safety of Nova Scotians.
We opted for electronic voting because
residents are familiar with it. We've used
electronic voting for the last two elections, and
it is the safest option for voters, polling officers,
and municipal staff. The difference is that we are
not offering paper ballots as an option.
Questions?
Returning Officer Samuel Lamey or
Assistant Returning Officer Pamela Myra
Municipality of the District of Chester
151 King Street, PO Box 369
Chester, NS B0J 1J0
902-275-3631 or election@chester.ca
VOTE!SPE
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Honestly, we were torn. For some, holding a
paper ballot in their hands and dropping it into
a ballot box is the only way to go. We hear you,
but for yours and safety's sake, we just weren't
willing to risk it.
We cannot stress enough the importance of
voting. Voting gives you a "right to complain,"
but it doesn't just give you a voice in the line-
up at the grocery store. It gives constituents
a voice around the Council Chambers table.
The candidate who you vote for doesn't stop
representing you after October 17. Once voted
in, Councillors seek and appreciate input from
the communities they represent.
If you don't vote, you allow other people to
choose your representative for you. Besides, it
only happens once every four years.
So, now you know why you vote and the
method with which you are voting. Are you
registered and eligible to vote?
Voter Eligibility
To vote in this Election, you must
• be 18 years of age on or before October
6, 2020;
• be a Canadian Citizen on or before Octo-
ber 6, 2020;
• have been living in Nova Scotia six months
before October 6, 2020;
• be on the Voter List (you can even be
sworn in up to October 17); and
• be primarily residing in the Municipality
immediately before October 6, 2020.
Voter List
Elections Nova Scotia shares their latest
information with us to help us assemble our
Voter List. We use their information plus
rely on residents to contact us with updated
information about their residency. We already
mailed letters to confirm your information, so
if you didn't receive one, you may not be on
"the list". If you're not on "the list", you won't
get a Voter Instruction Letter with the personal
identification number (PIN) you will need to
vote. If you don't get this letter by October 5,
please contact us ASAP at 902-275-3631 or
email election@chester.ca. YOU WILL NEED
THIS LETTER TO VOTE!
Voting in the Advance Poll begins at 8:00 a.m.
on Tuesday, October 6 and ends at 7:00 p.m. on
Wednesday, October 14. There is NO voting on
October 15 and 16. Then, voting will resume on
the official Election Day, which is October 17.
On Election Day, voting begins at 8:00 a.m.
However, votes must be cast BEFORE the poll
closes at 7:00 p.m. It takes approximately a
minute and a half to vote. Please don't wait until
the last minute. You will have to wait until the
last minute AND A HALF at least.
Now that we have covered the Municipal
Election, we would like to mention that Municipal
Elections ordinarily coincide with School Board
Elections, and this year is no different. Conseil
scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP) candidates
will also be elected on October 17, however,
in the Municipality, a representative has been
acclaimed. Congratulations, Diane Racette!
Now that you're prepared, look inside to see
who the candidates (or acclaimed Councillors)
are in your district.
MUNICIPAL ELECTION 2020
2Make a point of voting in this year's Municipal Election! We're counting on you.
MEET YOUR CANDIDATES...
The deadline to declare candidacy is over, and the dust has settled. Candidates are getting ready for the Election and many have started campaigning in their districts. Here is a snapshot of each candidate running in the Municipal Election. Also listed
are representatives who are acclaimed (automatically voted in because there was only one candidate who declared in that district). If you have questions for your candidates and they have not yet reached out to you, please contact them using the in-
formation listed below their photo. They are interested in what you have to say as they could be representing you around the Council table for the next four years.
ACCLAIMED CANDIDATES are uncontested in their District.
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Terri Demont is the youngest of four children to her parents, Bernice and the late John Corkum. She was born
and raised in East Chester and has lived there for 51 years. She graduated from Chester Municipal High School and
obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Mary's University.
Terri and her husband of 33 years, Rickey, have worked in this Municipality all of their lives, raised two children,
and are blessed with four grandchildren. She is employed by the South Shore Regional Centre for Education and has
spent the last 19 years as an Educational Assistant and tutor at Forest Heights Community School.
Terri dedicated a considerable portion of her adult life to volunteering in her community with hours given to Girl
Guides, 4-H, the East Chester Recreation Association, youth groups, and Hunter Safety education. For the past 15
years, Terri has been a dedicated Active Volunteer Firefighter and Medical First Responder with Chester Volunteer
Fire Department and co-founded and led the Junior Fire Department. She is a member of the Joint Fire Advisory
Committee and RCMP Advisory Committee.
Marshal Hector (Incumbent) was elected to Municipal Council by acclamation on September 12, 2017, and sworn in on September 14. Marshal served on Council previously from 2000 to 2012.
Marshal is retired from the Home Hardware store that he owned and operated for 33 years in Hubbards. He is an active member of Blandford & Area Fire Rescue with over 48 years of service, having served as Chief for 15 years over that time, and is a Medical First Responder. He was previously active with various community groups, includ-ing the Building Committee and Board of Directors of the Blandford Community Centre, Aspotogan Heritage Trust, Shoreham Village, Aspotogan Recreation Association, and Liaison Committee at Louisiana Pacific Company. As well, he is a Nova Scotia Hunter Safety Instructor for 30+ years and Canadian Firearms Instructor for over 20 years.
Marshal and Heather have lived in Bayswater for 49 years where they have raised their two children and enjoy time with their five grandchildren.
Andre Veinotte is a life-long resident of East Chester and the son of Geoff and Sharon Veinotte. He has two chil-dren, Chantelle and Eva. Andre founded and runs ABLE Engineering Inc, which is based in Chester. It is a 30-person engineering firm specializing in civil and structural engineering and land surveying. He is also nearing the end of his term as President of Engineers Nova Scotia. Andre is also a former Councillor for District 1.
Andre has volunteered his time as chairman of New Ross Credit Union, Advisor for Junior Achievers Canada, member of the Chester Chamber of Commerce (former director), and member of several other South Shore busi-ness associations.
In recent years, he has held the position of Director of the Bluenose Coastal Action Foundation whose goal is to promote restoration, enhancement, and conservation of our ecosystem through research, education, education, and action. He is also also a member of the Louisiana-Pacific Community Liaison Committee which is an environ-mental advisory body to East River Louisiana-Pacific Ltd (now Maibec).
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902-277-0322
902-228-2881
mh.hector@hotmail.ca
902-277-1409
andrev@ableinc.ca
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Danielle Barkhouse (Incumbent) is a single mother of three and multi-generational member of this community.
Danielle spent 17 years in nursing before receiving training in Business Communications from St. Mary’s Univer-
sity and Executive Certificate in Local Government Administration from Dalhousie.
She is an active member of her community and has supported many non-for-profit organizations over the years,
including Church Memorial Park and the Chester Municipal Heritage Society. She is willing to volunteer anywhere
she is needed.
She is dedicated to District 3 and the rest of the Municipality and was instrumental in arranging several events,
such as the recent Canada Day event in Chester as well as annual fireworks.
Kerry Keddy grew up in Chester and is a community activist. He has been a community volunteer and business
owner since the 1980s.
Kerry volunteers at all levels of community concerns from Boy Scouts to the Chamber of Commerce to the Ches-
ter Farmers' Market.
He is currently the chair of VOCTADA.
Kerry's hobbies include sailing, biking and cooking.
902-521-3849
dbarkhouse76@gmail.com
902-277-2638
Keddycouncil@gmail.com
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Available
Tina Connors, first elected in 2012, will
continue to represent District 6 - the
communities of Seffernville, Glengarry,
Meister Road, Charing Cross, Leville, New
Russell, Mill Road, Forties, Fraxville, Lake
Ramsay, Harriston, and Aaldersville.
902-277-1095 tconnors@chester.ca
Floyd Shatford, elected in 1997, will
continue to represent District 2 - the
communities of Fox Point, Mill Cove, Simms
Settlement, Dauphinee Mill Lake, part of
Hubbards (to the county line), Birchy Head
and The Lodge.
902-275-7868 fshatford@chester.ca
Get immediate election results at www.chester.ca/election on Election Day (Saturday, October 17, 2020) after voting closes at 7:00p.m.3
MUNICIPAL ELECTION 2020
MEET YOUR CANDIDATES...
The deadline to declare candidacy is over, and the dust has settled. Candidates are getting ready for the Election and many have started campaigning in their districts. Here is a snapshot of each candidate running in the Municipal Election. Also listed
are representatives who are acclaimed (automatically voted in because there was only one candidate who declared in that district). If you have questions for your candidates and they have not yet reached out to you, please contact them using the in-
formation listed below their photo. They are interested in what you have to say as they could be representing you around the Council table for the next four years.
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Allen Webber (Incumbent) is a life-long member of the community with family connections going back for cen-
turies.
He has raised three sons here who continue to have strong connections to Chester Basin.
Allen is a member of, and strong supporter of, many community organizations and has assisted in the develop-
ment of numerous community projects.
Allen was the owner/operator of two local businesses for many years: Odd Things Gift Shop and Lacey Realty.
He has had the good fortune of seeing the Rolling Stones live twice, Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen once, and is a
long-time friend of Joel Plaskett's father, Bill.
Allen loves his community and has been, and likes to be, involved in projects that continue to make it a fantastic
place to live and raise a family.
Steven Millett has been a resident of the Chester Grant/Chester Basin area for all of his life. He works, lives and
plays here, and enjoys the close-knit aspects and values of this beautiful, rural community.
He is always ready to lend a helping hand to his fellow neighbours. He also values having the ability to share
his knowledge and passion for the sustainable forestry industry with family on the day-to-day operations of their
sawmill.
902-275-2536
stevenmillett@hotmail.com
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Abdella Assaff (Incumbent) is a life-long resident of Western Shore. His parents came to the area as immigrants
and raised a family. Abdella was born in Western Shore, and his family and roots remain there.
He is retired from operating a successful businesses in the Municipality for over 30 years; first in his father's cloth-
ing store in Western Shore, and then in the Chester Shore Mall.
Abdella has served as treasurer for both the Western Shore and District Fire Department and Fire Commission.
He and his wife Annette, with the unbelievable help of the Department, established a scholarship fund, in memory
of their son, Chad. Both Abdella and Annette are proud of this accomplishment. In recent years applications for the
scholarship slowed, so they donated the remaining funds to the Fire Department. He has many years of volunteer
community service, including as a member of the Western Shore & District FIre Depatment, member of the Legion
Branch #144 in Western Shore, and board member of the Western Shore & Area Improvements Association.
Blake Rafuse grew up in Gold River with lots of family roots in the community. He has two children, 3 and 5 years old, a companion of 6 years and, their family dog.
His education is through Forest Heights Community School, NSCC, and JVI College, also gaining vast knowledge and life experiences throughout his working career in Nova Scotia and Alberta.
Currently, Blake is an entrepreneur in the Municipality and surrounding communities.
He proudly serves in the Chester Basin Fire Department, and has for the past 19 years. He is also a member and volunteer at the Western Shore Legion.
902-627-2850
aassaff@eastlink.ca
902-279-0157
rafuse77@gmail.com
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Sharon Church is a life-long resident of District 7 and has been a Municipal Councillor for 20 years. As a gradu-ate of Mount Saint Vincent University with a Bachelor of Business Administration, Sharon has pursued a career as an administrator in the public and private sector. She is currently employed at Bonny Lea Farm as their Office Manager. Sharon also has small business experience as she was a partner in a Christmas tree and wreath exporting company for over 15 years.
Sharon is a founding member of Card Lake Park Conservation Committee and is pleased that the Provincial Park is maintained for the enjoyment of residents and visitors alike.
Sharon is proud to call Chester Municipality home and lives in the community of Windsor Road. In her spare time, Sharon enjoys volunteering at the Canaan and District Hall or other venues as needed. She appreciates the many volunteer organizations in the Municipality and continues to support their events.
For leisure, Sharon is involved in numerous outdoor activities such as gardening, biking, walking and kayaking.
Doug Sharpham has lived off the Windsor Highway on the North Middle River Road for the past 26 years. He and
his wife of 39 years have three children and six grandchildren.
Professionally, Doug has served as Vice President of the IBEW, Local 625 Electricians Union of NS, as Chairman
of the Nova Scotia Construction Association - Electrical Division, on the Committee Board at Bonny Lea Farm, as
President and Treasurer of the Nova Scotia Quantity Surveyor Association, and has been a Teacher with the Nova
Scotia Community College for 14 years. He was also a Project Manager with the Electrical Division of the Sable
Offshore Energy Project.
In his community, he has served on the RCMP Community Committee and the Kaizer Meadow Citizens Landfill
Monitoring Committee and still is. He was a Big Brother at CAMS, a past Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce
and executive member of the Chamber's 2018 Summit, and is an executive member of VOCTADA. In his retirement,
Doug's passion is, of course, the District of Chester, cooking classes and home cooking.
902-275-2281
sharonchurch2016@gmail.com
902-277-1961
douglasg@hotmail.ca
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INFORMATION...
Election information:
www.chester.ca/election
902-275-3631
election@chester.ca
Election results:
www.chester.ca/results
@chestermun on Twitter
/ChesterMunicipality on
Facebook
Results will be almost instant
as ballots are cast electronically
and automatically counted when
voting ends at 7:00 p.m. Results
will be posted manually by
municipal staff shortly after.
Didn't receive a Voter Letter?
902-275-3631
election@chester.ca
WHO TO VOTE FOR
OFFICE OF
COUNCILLOR
CANDIDATES
(Alphabetical)COMMUNITIES SERVED
(district maps available at www.chester.ca/election)
DISTRICT #1 Terri Demont
Marshal Hector (Incumbent)
Andre Veinotte
Aspotogan, Bayswater, Northwest Cove, Blandford, Upper Bland-
ford, Deep Cove, Schnare's Cove, East River Point, East River, Otter
Point, Squid Cove, Goat Lake, Scotch Cove, part of East Chester (to
Village of Chester Planning boundary).
DISTRICT #2 Floyd P. Shatford (Incumbent)
ELECTED BY ACCLAMATION
Fox Point, Mill Cove, Simms Settlement, Dauphinee Mill Lake, part
of Hubbards (to the County line), Birchy Head, The Lodge.
DISTRICT #3 Danielle Barkhouse (Incum-
bent)
Kerry Keddy
Village of Chester, Chester Commons, part of East Chester (to the
end of the Village Planning boundary).
DISTRICT #4 Steven Millett
Allen Webber (Incumbent)
Chester Basin, Chester Grant, Borgald's Point, Lower Grant, Middle
River (west side).
DISTRICT #5 Abdella Assaff (Incumbent)
Blake Rafuse
Martins River Bridge to Gold River Bridge, including Gold River,
Western Shore, Martins Point, and part of Martins River.
DISTRICT #6 Tina Connors (Incumbent)
ELECTED BY ACCLAMATION
Seffernville, New Ross, Leville, New Russell, Mill Road, Aaldersville,
Harriston, Glengarry, Lake Ramsay, Forties, Fraxville, part of Lemin-
ster (to County line).
DISTRICT #7 Sharon Church (Incumbent)
Doug Sharpham
Windsor Road, Canaan, part of Haddon Hill, Robinsons Corner,
Marriotts Cove, east side of Middle River.
SOUTH SHORE REGIONAL SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES
Member of Conseil scolaire acadien provincial Diane Racette - ELECTED BY ACCLAMATION
...in the Advance Poll & ...on Election Day...in the Advance Poll & ...on Election Day
COVID-19 threw a wrench into our lives, and until the early summer, it was question-
able whether an election was even going to happen. We were given the go-ahead by
the Province of Nova Scotia to proceed, and electronic voting was chosen as the saf-
est option for voters, polling officers, and municipal staff.
With no paper ballots, electronic voting is available not only during the Advance Poll,
but also on Election Day. Use the unique PIN in your Voter Instruction Letter to ac-
cess electronic voting. You will need this letter to vote! If you don't have a letter by
October 5, contact us as soon as you can by calling 902-275-3631.
WAYS TO VOTE
WHEN TO VOTE
...by phone ...by internet
During the Advance Poll, residents have the
option to vote via telephone. When you
receive your Voter Instruction Letter (by
October 5), you will see a unique personal
identification number (PIN). Use that PIN and
your birth date, and call the toll-free number
in your letter. On average, it takes less than a
minute and a half to vote over the phone.
Again, during this year's Election, online voting
(or e-voting as we affectionately like to call it) is
available to residents with internet access. Use
your desktop, laptop, smart phone or tablet
to cast your virtual ballot. Login to a secure
website using your unique PIN and birthdate
as directed in your Voter Instruction Letter that
you should receive by October 5.
?????
The Advance Poll period is from
8:00am Tuesday, October 6 to
7:00pm Wednesday, October 14.
Election Day is
Saturday, October 17 from
8:00am to 7:00pm.
(vote BEFORE close)