Selwyn Township councillor John Boyko has announced he will be running for deputy mayor in October’s municipal election.
Currently councillor for Lakefield (Ward 30), Boyko is the only candidate so far for deputy mayor, with existing deputy mayor Ron Black having announced he is running for mayor of Selwyn Township.
“My priorities are affordability, and improved citizen engagement, service delivery, and access to a doctor,” Boyko states in a media release announcing his candidacy.
Born in Hamilton and raised in Peterborough, Boyko earned degrees from Trent University, Queen’s University, and McMaster University and became an teacher and education administrator, most recently at Lakefield College School before he retired in 2022 and was elected to Selwyn Township council.
A writer and best-selling author who has published nine books on Canadian history and politics, Boyko first entered municipal politics when he was 37 and was elected as Lakefield’s deputy reeve and Peterborough County councillor. As deputy mayor, Boyko would represent the township on county council along with the mayor.
“I served on county council when I was Lakefield’s deputy reeve, before amalgamation, and learned its challenges and opportunities,” Boyko says. “I believe I can more fully serve the people of Selwyn, and those of the county, with a seat at the county table where important matters such as roads, bridges, planning, sustainability, and physician recruitment are discussed.”
Boyko has volunteered with many community groups and served on many committees and boards, including as chair of the Peterborough Social Planning Council, Lakefield Library, and Morton Medical Centre. He currently serves on the boards of the Otonabee Region Conservation Authority, Morton Medical Centre, and the Peterborough Police Board (as Lakefield liaison). He is also board chair of the Lakefield Literary Festival and is on the Lakefield Jazz, Art & Craft Festival committee.
The nomination period for the October 26 municipal election closes on August 21. Along with Black and Boyko, other declared candidates so far for Selwyn Township council include incumbent Mary Coulas for Ennismore (Ward 10) councillor and Michael Barrett for Lakefield councillor.
There are currently no candidates for Smith (Ward 20) councillor, with incumbent Brian Henry yet to declare. As of the date of this story, incumbent mayor Sherry Senis has also not publicly announced whether she plans to seek re-election.
