Candidate's feud spotlighted in Star

On the front page of the GTA section of the Toronto Star today, the top story outlines the bickering between Clarington mayoral candidates John Mutton and Jim Schell. They challenge each other's versions of an e-mail sent by Schell to Mutton, allegedly, according to Mayor Mutton, an attempt at vote-splitting in the upcoming election. Seems the two former political allies have had a falling out.

Durham councillor enters mayor's race

Plans to challenge Clarington incumbent instead of retiring
Decision influenced by assault charges against current leader

Aug. 28, 2006

STAN JOSEY
STAFF REPORTER

The mayor's race is heating up in Clarington, where a veteran councillor and long-time ally of two-term mayor John Mutton has entered the contest.

Local and regional councillor Jim Schell, who was planning to retire from politics after the municipal election in November, now says uncertainty caused by criminal charges filed against Mutton in June caused him to rethink his plan.

Mutton, 39, is seeking his second term under a cloud of two charges of assault now before the courts. A publication ban on evidence surrounding the charges has created an air of rumour and innuendo that could affect the outcome of the election, Schell said.

Through his lawyer, Mutton pleaded not guilty to the assault charges last week in an Oshawa courtroom and is scheduled to stand trial in January.

Schell, a 61-year-old retired business executive, said he wants to give voters in Clarington, on Durham Region's eastern border, a candidate they can trust and respect.

"I saw that a lot of inexperienced candidates are running in this election and I feel an experienced hand should be at the helm for the coming term."

Mutton, however, accused Schell of "dirty politics," citing emails from his fellow councillor saying he would only enter the race to help re-elect Mutton.

The mayor has released an Aug. 9 email he received from Schell saying: "Lots of people are pushing me to run. I'm worried about your ability to win. The numbers don't look good. If I run, I'll take votes from Ab (candidate Jim Abernethy), not you. Your votes look solid, but I don't think you have enough at this point. We'll wait and see."

Mutton said Schell appeared to be trying to split any "dump Mutton" vote to allow the mayor to keep his job.

"I don't want to be a part of anyone trying to rig the election for anyone else," Mutton said on the weekend. "I just want people to know where Jim is coming from."

But Schell, who brings the number of mayoral candidates to five, said the email was taken out of context, and he was simply pointing out what could happen in the election.

Schell said he has great respect for the current mayor, but noted that if Mutton is defeated, it should be by someone who has experience on council.

He said he faced pressure from segments of the community to postpone his retirement and spend more time as a lay minister in the Anglican Church. "I'll still do some of that, but I am ready to work full-time as mayor for the next four years."

While Mutton has a strong electoral base in the community, where his family has lived for five generations, Schell is expected to split any anti-Mutton vote with Abernethy, a 54-year-old businessman.

Also in the race for mayor are auto salesman Wayne J. Chaskavich and Richard Ward, who has run for the post before.

While the previous Toronto Star story (August 24, GTA section) had opined "Mutton is not facing a serious challenge for his job so far", it appears someone was worried that one or more of the challengers (Jim Abernethy, Richard Ward or Wayne Chaskavich) IS mounting a serious challenge to Mutton, and I would agree with that second assessment.

However, having Schell in the race now could be a blessing for the other candidates, as it could be more likely that he will draw votes away from Mutton than from Abernethy, since Mutton and Schell have such a long history together, and would likely have the same voter base. As well, those voting "for change" would be more likely to vote for one of the challengers, rather than for the mayor who has served 2 terms or Schell who has been on council even longer.