By Kirk Starratt
kstarratt@kingscountynews.ca
Jim Winsor was sidelined on election day, but he may not be out of the game.
The former District 11 council candidate said he is taking steps towards looking into a legal challenge of his Oct. 5 disqualification.
Returning officer Heather Archibald put Winsor, along with two other candidates, out of contention because he failed to resign or take leave from his position as a citizen appointee on the municipal trails committee before filing his nomination papers.
Read more about the candidate disqualifications here.
Winsor said Friday circumstances are being examined to determine whether or not there is a case to take to the court asking for the Oct. 20 election results to be overturned and a new election called.
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“We’re stepping gingerly,” he said.
Winsor added he wants to make sure a challenge would be the right thing to do by the citizens of Kings County and the district before taking action. However, he said he has received a lot of support and encouragement.
“This isn’t Jim Winsor driven, it’s a push from the people,” he said.
Winsor said he was motivated to get elected and felt he had credibility and the necessary support. He said he became more impassioned as he canvassed door-to-door.
If a legal challenge doesn’t happen or fails, Winsor said, while the 2016 election is a long way off, he hasn’t been discouraged from the idea of running again by the current situation.
Rick Ackland, a District 8 candidate disqualified for not taking leave of resigning from the Grand View Manor board, declined to say what his plans were.
“Watch this space,” was his only comment.
District 2’s Peter Jackson, who serves as a citizen appointee on the county’s planning advisory committee, was the third disqualified candidate. He could not be reached for comment before press time. Jackson voluntarily stepped out of the race before his official disqualification.
Under the Municipal Elections Act, candidates must not serve as members on boards, commissions or committees and receive remuneration for such services at the time of their nomination. The process for nomination relies on the candidates to have reviewed the legislation and confirm eligibility. Eligibility concerns were raised with the returning officer, which led to an inquiry and the disqualification of three candidates
Candidates have until Oct. 30 to apply for a recount. The deadline to apply to have results set aside or overturned is Nov. 10. The deadline for candidates to file campaign disclosure statements is Dec. 19.
