The nomination period for October’s municipal election opened on Friday, May 1, and the first candidate to file their paperwork with the municipal clerk, kicking off their campaign, was Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney, who in this election will seek the mayor’s chair.
Keaveney has served three terms on council, the last two as Deputy Mayor. In the last municipal election in 2022, Keaveney was unopposed, and was therefore acclaimed to her second term as Deputy Mayor.
In a media release issued May 1, Keaveney’s campaign said that she has enjoyed her three terms on council, and she says she is ready to take on the challenge of serving as mayor.
“Shirley is ready to take the next step, her years on council have provided her a strong foundation, she understands how municipal government works, she knows the issues that matter most to Meaford residents, and she listens. Shirley is a proven leader with the ability to work with other councillors and staff to get things done,” read Keaveney’s media release.
Keaveney, the long-time owner of Meaford’s Dairy Queen outlet before selling it after roughly four decades in 2021, was first elected to Meaford’s council in 2014. In 2018 she ran for Deputy Mayor and earned nearly double the votes of her competitor, David Long.
While serving as Deputy Mayor for the past two terms of council, Keaveney has also been one of Meaford’s two representatives at Grey County council, along with the mayor.
Keaveney’s campaign says that her business and council experience have prepared her for the mayor’s position.
“Shirley’s Municipal, Grey County, business and volunteer experience have prepared her well for this moment, she believes wholeheartedly in this community, its people and its potential,” read her media release announcing her candidacy for mayor. “The residents of this Municipality deserve a leader who knows this community, one who will champion our heritage and who will work to bring sustainable vibrancy to our downtown. Shirley recognizes the significance of our rural community and the value of our agricultural economy. She will focus on building a vibrant future for us all.”
Keaveney was the only candidate for council to be registered on the opening day of the nomination period.
In addition to voting for council candidates, voters will also elect school board trustees on October 26. One candidate filed their paperwork to run for French Public School Board Trustee, incumbent Eric Lapointe.
Anyone planning to run for council or school board trustee will have until August 21 to register their candidacy. Election information, including the unofficial list of registered candidates can be found at: https://www.meaford.ca/en/our-government/election.aspx
