(Photo: Quinte News / File)
No change to 2018 electoral system
Brighton will keep the status quo when it comes to its municipal election process for next year.
On Tuesday night councillors were given an overview of Bill 181, which is the Elections Modernization Act and decided not to make any changes to the process, other than what’s required.
CAO Bill Watson tells Quinte News, the mail-in ballot system has been working well, so a change to that process doesn’t make sense.
The bill does require changes to some key dates, nomination timelines, fee changes and advertising rules.
Brighton will also stay with a first past the post system, with staff monitoring any municipalities that decide to use ranked ballots instead and see how it works for them.
The one major change is the addition of the Deputy Mayor to the ballot.
Candidates will have to run for either the Mayor, Deputy Mayor or Councillor positions, but the size of council won’t change.
Currently councillors select a deputy mayor once the election is finished, but now it will be up to the electorate.
Here’s a list of the changes to key dates in the 2018 municipal electoral process:
Residents urged to sign up for Emergency Notification System
Brighton’s Fire Chief is hoping more people will take advantage of the town’s Emergency Notification System.
The system is used to alert residents of incidents like major fires, evacuations, severe weather events and more.
Chief Lloyd Hutchinson tells Quinte News the system is split into three sections including urban, rural and Presqu’ile.
Right now there are 1,828 people registered, but Hutchinson would like to see closer to 4,000 sign up since the system is used to relay some extremely important information.
He adds, it’s important for businesses to register as well, in case business owners don’t live in the municipality.
You can click here to sign up for the system yourself, or if you’re having trouble registering, you can call the fire hall at 613-475-1744 for help, or stop by the open house this weekend to sign up as well.
Brighton Fire Department open house this weekend
There’s a great opportunity to learn about the inner workings of the Brighton Fire Department this weekend.
Brighton Fire Department Station One is hosting an open house on Saturday April, 22 between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
The event includes a number of interactive displays for all ages, fire apparatus demonstrations and draw prizes.
Various OPP and Northumberland EMS units will also be on hand to give demonstrations and Harry Hots is providing the meals.
No registration is required, just show up to 20 Elizabeth Street, beside the King Edward Park Community Centre.
It’s also a kick-off to the 2017 door-to-door smoke alarm campaign.
