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City needs to ‘exercise wisdom,’ says Luke Dufour

He is now one of six candidates running for City Council in Ward 2
2018-07-22 Luke Dufour
Luke Dufour. Photo provided

Luke Dufour officially filed his nomination papers Friday July 20, 2018 to run as a candidate for councillor in Ward 2 in the upcoming Oct. 22, 2018 municipal election.

It won’t be Dufour’s first shot at a council seat, his most recent run resulting in a second place finish to Sandra Hollingsworth in a Ward 2 byelection in 2016.

“Over the past two campaigns for Council, I have dedicated hundreds of hours to hearing the concerns of Ward 2 residents at their doors,” Dufour stated in a news release.

Dufour wrote he will address the need for jobs, low taxes, and quality services.  

“I believe that Sault Ste. Marie has a lot to offer and we need to make wise decisions that make us an attractive place for business and an affordable community for families and seniors.”

Dufour has been actively involved in the community, currently sitting on the Board of Directors for the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library, and helps to lead a group of volunteers which cooks and serves meals at St. Vincent's Place through the support of local businesses.

An Algoma University graduate, Dufour was born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, choosing to return here to start a family and to manage JL Builders, a local small business. Dufour, his partner Elise and son Calvin are all Ward 2 residents.

“I’m excited by this opportunity to be a strong voice and a leader on city council,” Dufour wrote.  

“Now more than ever, our city needs to be expanding our population, attracting good jobs and exercising wisdom with our resources. I’m ready to work hard and dedicate my energy to moving the city forward.”

The deadline for candidates to submit or withdraw nominations for mayor, councillor or school board trustee is 2 p.m., Friday July 27, 2018.

As of Wednesday, Ted Johnston and Kemal Martinovic are challenging Mayor Christian Provenzano for council’s top elected position.  

Johnston placed third, with 699 votes, behind Provenzano and Debbie Amaroso, in a field of six mayoral candidates in the 2014 municipal election.

As of July 25, there are four candidates for the two Ward 1 council spots: incumbent councillors Paul Christian and Sandra Hollingsworth, as well as well-known local businessman Don Mitchell and SimCity gamer Derek Pearce.

In Ward 2, Luke Dufour will be in the running with Sam Cistaro, D.J. Thyne, veteran councillor Lou Turco, Lisa Vezeau-Allen, former executive director of the Arts Council of Sault Ste. Marie and District, and Jason Young.

Incumbents Judy Hupponen and Matthew Shoemaker are seeking re-election in Ward 3, along with John Bruno, retired Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board superintendent of education, Donna Hilsinger, a well-known local figure with more than 40 years of experience in the tourism and hospitality industry, Past President and Current Volunteer Executive Director of the Algoma Fall Festival and current Sault Ste. Marie Police Services Board chair, and Winona Hutchinson, a child and youth worker and retail business manager.

In Ward 4, incumbent councillors Marchy Bruni and Rick Niro are running, along with Tim Marsh and Sara McCleary.

Corey Gardi, incumbent councillor Ozzie Grandinetti and Matthew Scott are running in Ward 5.

Nominations, so far, for Algoma District School Board trustee

  • Ward 1 - Jennifer Sarlo
  • Ward 2 - Graham Lidstone, Susan Myers
  • Ward 3 - Greg Bowman, Karen Morin
  • Ward 4 - Susan Thayer
  • Ward 5 - Nick Apostle, Sandra Edwards

Nominations, so far, for Huron-Superior District School Board trustee

  • John Caputo
  • Leslie Cassidy-Amadio
  • Tony D'Agostino
  • Gary Trembinksi
  • Sandra Turco

Nominations, so far, for Conseil Scolaire de District du Grand Nord de l'Ontario trustee

  • Louise Primeau
  • Patricia Lofstrom

Nominations, so far, for Conseil Scolaire de District Catholique du Nouvel-Ontario trustee

  • Suzanne (LeClair) Salituri

What's next?


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Darren Taylor

About the Author: Darren Taylor

Darren Taylor is a news reporter and photographer in Sault Ste Marie. He regularly covers community events, political announcements and numerous board meetings. With a background in broadcast journalism, Darren has worked in the media since 1996.
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