Ron LaPlante has joined six others in running for city council in Ward 8, the seat being vacated by current councillor Ted Callaghan as he runs for mayor.

A retired senior manager at Bell Canada in Greater Sudbury, LaPlante has experience in engineering, budget control, economic forecasting, planning, and community service.

“I owe this City a huge debt for the opportunities that it has offered me, my wife, and, in particular my boys," LaPlante stated in a press release. "It takes a caring and committed community to help successfully raise our children."

"Through this campaign I hope to raise awareness of the pressing long term issues facing us, and if successful, begin to shape a future vision which can be shared by all citizens."

Ward 8 has about 10,000 voters, and with seven people running for the councillor's seat, the race is likely to be tight.

LaPlante joins Fabio Belli, Leo Bisson, Louis Delongchamp, Al Sizer, Lorenzo Tripodi, and Harry Will in competition for Ward 8.