Two mayoral candidates fail to file mandatory financial statements

Rory Ring and Ted Johnston can't run again in 2022 unless they file disclosures within 30 days and pay a $500 penalty

Mayoral candidates Rory Ring. Christian Provenzano and Ted Johnston debate on October 2, 2018. David Helwig/SooToday

Half the four mayoral candidates in Sault Ste. Marie's 2018 municipal election race failed to file mandatory campaign spending disclosures by last week's 2 p.m. Friday deadline.

The non-filers are Rory Ring, who took leave from his day job as chief executive officer at Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce to run on a platform calling for fiscal transparency and accountability, and former United Nations peacekeeper Ted Johnston.

Neither will be allowed to run again in the 2022 municipal election unless they file a spending report within 30 days and pay a $500 penalty.

Reached by SooToday this afternoon, Ring said he intends to do that.

Ring said he's been focussing on running the local Chamber of Commerce with a reduced staff of three employees.

The chamber is particularly busy in the January to March period, he said.

In February, he took on added volunteer responsibilities chairing of the board of the Chamber Executives of Ontario and representing that group as a director of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.

Frank Fata, whose re-election campaign on Ward 5 was unsuccessful, also did not meet Friday's deadline.

Kemal Joseph Martinovic said he spent nothing on his mayoral campaign.

Mayor Provenzano spent $28,486, contributing $2,400 of his own money.

Top contributors to the Provenzano campaign included Orlando Rosa, Terry Rainone, Frank Provenzano and Albert Giommi, all donating $1,200.

Ben Pino, Nilay Patel, Frank Palumbo, John Martella, Syl Brazeau and Joe Bisceglia provided $1,000 each.

The following are 2018 campaign expense totals as declared by City Council candidates:

Ward 1