Pearson byelections a go

So far, Susan Williams, an Ile Bizard resident, and Domenico Pavone, who lives in Pierrefonds, are running for school commissioner in Ward 12 (Ile Bizard and Pierrefonds. While in Ward 15 (Beaconsfield), former commissioner Don Rae (who ran last fall in Ward 18 but lost to Judy Kelley) and Beaconsfield resident Lana Roberts are confirmed candidates.

Pearson returning officer Don Taylor added nominations will be accepted until 5 p.m. Sunday, so some other names could be added to the ballots.

The byelections, set for Oct. 26, were called to replace two commissioners who resigned. Sylvia Di Donato, who was vice-chairman, resigned citing personal reasons. She had represented Ward 12 (Pierrefonds/Île Bizard) since the 1998 formation of the Pearson board. Ralph Tietjen, who represented Ward 15 (Beaconsfield north), announced in April he was moving to Vancouver for career reasons. He was one of 14 commissioners acclaimed in the November 2007 school board vote.

Any electors in the Pearson school board territory, which runs from Verdun to the Ontario border, can run in either byelection as long as they garner 10 signatures from local voters

The new commissioners' mandate will last about three years before the next general board elections, which are scheduled every four years.

For more information, check www2.lbpsb.qc.ca, e-mail elections@lbpsb.qc.ca or call 514-780-VOTE (8683).