Tighter restrictions on federal employees running in municipal elections
by Richard Blanchard

Tighter restrictions may make it more difficult for federal government employees to run in the upcoming municipal elections.

Both Essa Councillor Ron Henderson and AdjalaTosorontio Deputy Mayor Doug Little will be required to receive permission from the federal government to run in this November's election.

Both are employees at CF Base Borden.

Henderson told Essa council Wednesday night that he had already to complete lengthy paperwork for the federal government in order to receive clearance to run.

"I had to answer a lot of questions about Essa township's budget process and other areas of service," he said.

Adjala-Tosorontio Deputy Mayor Doug Little said Monday that he has already had to complete one lengthy application in order to seek approval to run.

"There were questions about all areas of AdjalaTosorontio's activities including questions about budget work," he said.

He said that he had hoped to have a final decision from the government by June 15th but was recently told that he had another application form to complete. "I honestly don't think that the federal government can

prevent us from running for council but it may require me to take a leave of absence during the campaign or after we were elected," he said.

Little said that this complication has been the reason that he has not officially registered as a candidate for mayor. He announced his intention to run for the position in May.

"Requiring someone to take a leave of absence from their job seems out of line when council members around here hold their positions part time," he said.

Henderson said that he would likely appeal any decision which restricts running for office.