It won't be as easy a ride to the top for Mono Mayor Keith Thompson, who won last time by acclamation, as newcomer Lorrie Haddock has become a last-minute challenger for the town's mayoralty.

Ms. Haddock, a local real estate agent who lives in Mono, said that although she hadn't pictured herself "as being overly political, I am a firm believer in standing up for what is right.

"I am a fifth generation resident of Mono and very proud of my heritage. I think Mono is a great place to live and I hope to see future generations of my family continue to thrive on the family farm and in the community. I feel that fiscal responsibility and accountability with in the Town will help ensure a strong and prosperous Mono for future generations."

Asked why she decided to seek the mayoralty, she said she has "a very strong and energetic support group that think because of my ideals, beliefs, and a strong willingness to listen that I am a good candidate for the Mayor of our Town."

Thanking them for their "generous time and support," she added: "It takes a whole community to make a town."

Currently serving his third three-year term on the town council, Mr. Thompson was first elected as a councillor, and later became deputy mayor before being unchallenged for the mayoralty in 2003.

However, long before he was elected he gave his time to the town by being active on committees.

He thinks he has made a significant difference in the town and would like to continue directing its future with the rest of council. He said it's important they continue the work they've started.

Mayor Thompson noted he works well with the other members on council and enjoys the leadership role and seeing council get as much work done as possible.

The issues causing concern to Mayor Thompson include waste management, ensuring the residents can obtain high speed internet at an affordable rate, as well as economic development. He said there's so much competition for tourist dollars that the town and county need to work hard to make both places a tourist destination. He also wants to work to have money flow to municipalities for infrastructure instead of coming in lump sums.

Deputy Mayor David Baldwin has been acclaimed as deputy mayor for the new four-year term of council, and says it's a huge relief, both financially and for stress.

He said it was very good news when 5 o'clock went by Friday with no other candidates registering for the position.

Mr. Baldwin thinks the people he's been serving with are rational and share his philosophy of wanting to take a longterm approach and to leave the municipality as a better place than it was when they stepped into office.

He said dealing with solid waste is an issue not only for Mono but for the whole county. Considering Mono's landfill site has a limited life expectancy, a made-in-Dufferin solution needed to be created. He added that instead of the individual municipalities trying to find their own solutions they should be working together to benefit the entire county.

He would also like to see the Dufferin OPP detachment find new accommodations, as they are in a small, cramped office that was originally designed for 15 to 17 people and now hold about 40.

He decided to run again because he has a feeling of unfinished business and it struck him as not being a good time to leave.

Five candidates are seeking the three councillors' seats - newcomers Jean Castle, Alexander Giger and Randy Mould and current councillors Ken McGhee and Laura Ryan.

This is Mr. Castle's and Mr. Giger's first time running, but Mr. Mould ran in the previous election.

Mr. Castle says he's an active volunteer with various organizations such as the Rotary Club and Youth for Christ. Just retired from being a law professor, he says he'll be able to devote the time needed to deal with problems Mono faces.

He would like to maintain Mono's character while balancing residential and business development. He would like to encourage more tourism in the area and an increase in home businesses rather than industries so the natural atmosphere of the town isn't spoiled.

He also would like to prevent more light pollution that makes it difficult to see the night sky in some areas and to maintain the Bruce Trail.

Mr. Castle says he has his eye on the garbage situation and would like to try to keep taxes as low as possible. And he's interested in discussing whether Mono should have its own fire department or continue its agreement with Orangeville.

For Mr. Giger, a plumber by trade, it's a matter of being a part of the solution rather than sitting back and complaining.

He said he's not going to be a politician who makes promises, because situations change and he'd rather discuss how to solve an issue.

The issues he's concerned with include water management, garbage and taxes. He said Mono needs to figure out what do with the garbage and how best to get rid of it.

He noted Caledon has a much lower tax rate than Mono and Mono residents don't get more services than Caledon residents for a high tax bill.

Mr. Giger has also offered his time to organizations in the area such as Dufferin's amateur radio emergency service.

Mr. Mould is a retired high school teacher who has sat on the town's committee of adjustment for the past council term. He says he has the time and commitment needed to serve residents.

He said he would like to improve the overall environment for Mono residents, offer fair taxation coupled with services and control the level of development in the town.

Mr. Mould would also like to address, through the Province, how the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) handles assessments. He would like to see council become more proactive and offer an explanation to residents if there is a tax increase, instead of blaming MPAC.

As well, he wants to see council communicating more with residents so they can learn what's going on in the town without having to attend all council meetings.

Councillor McGhee is currently in his second term on council, while Councillor Ryan is in her first.

Councillor McGhee said he has the time and interest in what is happening in the community and likes to make a difference.

He said there needs to be an ongoing effort with the provincial and federal governments for needed infrastructure money.

He noted taxes continue to be a challenge as there are many items in the residential tax base but all are necessary services.

He would like to do more work on the Official Plan to manage growth as he would like to keep Mono a great place to live and place people value.

Councillor McGhee said he is a good listener who likes to look at all sides to an issue as council has to look at the overall good for the whole community.

Although this has been her first term on council, Councillor Ryan said she's no stranger to politics as she had represented Mono on the Dufferin County Board of Education for nine years.

Like other candidates, she says she has the time to pursue the issues and also would like to hear feedback from residents as it's hard to make a decision on something without community participation.

She said she enjoys this type of community service because it's hands-on and has a lot of challenges.

She is interested in keeping taxes as low as possible and using the money in the most fiscally responsible way.

Ms. Ryan said it's important that Mono stays current in discussions with neighbouring municipalities on waste management so they can find a solution to the problem.

She also wants to maintain as much agricultural land as possible because the farmers are the people providing food for residents across the province.

Developing a rural designation in the Official Plan is a large project but a necessary one, she added, as well as bringing in new, well-planned development and addressing concerns of current residents.

An all-candidates debate is scheduled for Monday, October 23 at 7 p.m. at the Monora Park pavilion.