Municipal candidates off to the races

The 2018 municipal election campaign has officially begun, with several candidates filing their nomination papers Tuesday morning, the first day they were able to enter the race.

Several peoplestoodoutsidethe municipal elections office CyrvilleRoad at 8:30 a.m.to be among the first to enter the races for city council andschool board.

First in line was Tammy Lynch, on a leave of absence from her position working for Coun. Jody Mitic, who has announced he won't seek re-election.

"I thought this was a great opportunity to continue my work in InnesWard," Lynch said of her decision to run.

She's not the only candidate to get their nomination papers in early for an open council seat. Right behind her in line was Theresa Kavanagh, hoping to replace Bay Ward Coun. Mark Taylor, who pledged not to seek a third term.

"We've done a lot of planning to get ready for today," said Glen Gower, who will run against longtime Stittsville Coun. Shad Qadri.

"It's just great to be able to start working at it," Gower said.

Many candidates said they planned to head straight to the bank after dropping off their paperwork.

Mayor Jim Watson filed his nomination papers this afternoon. So far the mayor faces only one challenger: Bernard Couchman, who ran for the same jobin 2014 and won one-half of one per cent of the vote.

Candidates have until the end of July 27 to join the race, or withdraw their nomination. Voters will cast theirballotsOct. 22.