Municipal election 2006

Ward 3: Johnson, Kentner win

Like Sherman marching through Georgia, political newcomer Dave Kentner swept the competition in Ward 3 topping the polls there with 2,283 votes. He upset incumbent Mike Davis who lost his seat after only one term on council. Davis received 1,148 votes. Incumbent Moya Johnson returns to represent Ward 3 on council for her fifth term. Johnson trailed Kentner by only 42 votes, receiving 2,241. Challenger David Adair trailed with 931 votes. "I feel ecstatic to be working on council and I can work well with the people that were elected and I look forward to the opportunity to serving with them," said Kentner, a retiree, who has been thinking about a political career since his first election to a service club post in 1967. "It's very gratifying and is a tribute to the hard work of my campaign team." His concerns for Ward 3 will be simple things, but important: that his ward is not forgotten when the focus on growth is shifted to Ward 4 and that issues such as more attention to seniors or minor recreational irritants (more heat in the rinks) are addressed. "I've been elected, now I have to deliver the bacon," he said. Johnson said she is prepared for another four years, after serving Ward 3 constituents since 1994. "The voters, I guess, are happy with what I have done," she said, adding she is looking forward to working with newcomers Kentner and John Duncan in Ward 4.

Johnson, too, heard at the doors that growth would be the key issue in the next four-year term and how it will affect Ward 3 (brownfields and intensification) and the town as a whole. Adair said he enjoyed the campaign experience and learned a lot, wishing the successful Ward 3 councillors well. In an e-mail statement to the press, Davis said, "First, I wish to thank all of the candidates who put their names forward for this democratic process. I'm disappointed to lose. No one has worked harder than my campaign team, and for this I thank them. I had unique ideas that I believe would have benefited Georgetown, but I respect the vision that the voters have expressed. I stand behind our elected members of council knowing they will work for the future of a Georgetown that we can be proud of. I wish them well."

WARD 3

David Kentner..................2,283

Moya Johnson...................2,241

Mike Davis.....................1,148

David Adair......................931

HDSB Trustee Wards 1 & 2:

Race goes to the wire

In a seesaw battle, Gerry Ockenden was declared winner in the Wards 1&2 public school trustee race. Ockenden edged out challenger Sean Haefner by 67 votes-- 1,777 to 1,710. Ockenden took the early lead but Haefner came on strong later in the evening to bring the decision down to the final few poll tallies. "It was sort of nerve-wracking," said Ockenden, who first spent the evening watching the results in the Civic Centre's council chambers, but then spent the remainder of the evening sitting quietly in the lobby. The political newcomer said one of the first orders of business would be to address the dysfunction that characterized the public board in the past three years. That, he said, will be aided by the loss of some incumbents such as Milton trustee and chair Paul Tate. Haefner did not return phone calls or e-mails before press time.

HDSB TRUSTEE WARDS 1 &2

Gerry Ockenden..............1,777

Sean Haefner................1,710

Incumbent Ward 3 Councillor congratulates newly-elected Ward 4 councillor John Duncan Monday night.

HDSB Trustee Wards 3 & 4:

Kutarna outlasts Parkhill

It was expected to be a tight race and it was, but by the end of the night, Gillian Kutarna was elected as the first Wards 3&4 public school trustee. Kutarna, with 2,689 votes, bested Mike Parkhill by 264 votes. Parkhill, who conceded late Monday, received 2,426 votes. "I am excited about the work that lies ahead," said Kutarna, at the Civic Centre Monday night while watching the results come in with Parkhill. "I see great opportunities for Halton school board in the next four years and I am looking forward to working with the other people who have been elected tonight." Kutarna appreciated the teamwork of her friends and family, "who brought this tight race to a close." Kutarna wants the board to focus on student excellence, environmental sustainability as taught to the students and accommodating the rapid population growth. Parkhill, who laughingly described his "ego is bruised but he'll get over it," said Kutarna will represent the north well, and that is the main goal. "When you lose to someone you respect it's not like losing," Parkhill said, adding he expected the tight race. He plans to continue his active involvement in the school community and if he sees a need to run again he will.

HDSB TRUSTEE WARDS 3&4

Gillian Kutarna................2,689

Mike Parkhill..................2,426

FRENCH SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEE

Micheline Wylde.......................464 (24 locally) Claudette Sassou Messan...............295 (23 locally)

Ward 4:

'Excited' Duncan joins Inglis at council table

Longtime incumbent Bob Inglis will represent Ward 4 for a fourth term, leading the polls with 2,266 votes. Local businessman John Duncan, a newcomer to the political arena, will be Inglis' new ward-mate. Duncan was in a neck-and-neck battle with Drew Riedstra all night, finally pulling ahead, with 1,406 votes. Riedstra had 1,104. Kevin Duggan trailed the polls with 942 votes. Inglis expressed delight at his return to council, thanking the ratepayers for their votes and the hard work of his campaign team. "This was a good campaign," said Inglis, who added his challengers were all good people and it was too bad that only two could be elected in his ward. Inglis said taxes and development topped the concerns heard at the doors. Noting that Ward 4 is bordered on the south and west by "the white belt" (the section of land designated by the Province for growth), Inglis said he would be working in the coming term towards preserving a good percentage of it. "But I'm realistic (there will be growth)." Certainly the message he heard on taxes will be echoing

in his ears during the January budget debates.

retaining the small town feel and he encouraged bot

"People do not want services cut," he said, "and it's always a balancing act between service cuts and taxes." Duncan said he was "really excited to be representing the voters of Ward 4", thanking the voters and his campaign team. His goals, like Inglis, will be controlled growth in Georgetown South and increasing the industrial base to offset the residential tax burden, plus taking a look at more recreational facilities. "None of this is going to happen

overnight," he cautioned. "We have an imbalance right now of 87:13 (residential versus industrial tax ratio)...and two staff are looking at 70:30 and that'll take seven to 10 years to make that happen. But I want to see money start come in first and then start building the sports and recreation facilities." Riedstra, who lost in his second bid for a council seat, - called it a great campaign. He noted the longtime residents were concerned about h Inglis centage of it. and Duncan to work towards that. Relative unknown Duggan was also encouraged by his showing to become more involved in the community, noting he has already been asked to speak at some upcoming events.

WARD 4

Bob Inglis..........................2,266

John Duncan........................ 1,406

Drew Riedstra.......................1,104

Kevin Duggan..........................942