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Thursday, Septem ber 24, 2015 - The IFP - H alton H ills - w w w .theifp.ca Page 3 2009 Saturn Astra XE + HST/LIC • Auto/4 cyl • Certified & E-tested • Keyless Entry • Heated Seats • Power Windows/ Steering $7,600 2006 Hyundai Tucson GL $6,800 + HST/LIC • Auto/6 cyl • Certified & E-Tested • A/C • Tilt Steering Wheel • Alloy Wheels • Bucket Seats • Cruise Control e-mail: hassellsauto@bellnet.ca www.hassellautomotive.com 2009 Pontiac G5 SE • Auto/4 cyl • Certified & E-tested • A/C • Spoiler • Sunroof/Moonroof • Power Trunk • Cruise Control $7,900 + HST/LIC CALL 2004 Ford Escape XLT • Auto/6 cyl • Certified & E-tested • A/C • Leather Seats • Sunroof/Moonroof • Power Seats • Cruise Control $6,300 + HST/LIC 45 Mountainview Road North Georgetown, Ontario 905.877.7958 NEWS Albano thanked his family, wife Nancy and Susan McPhail for their support and other candidates "for running a fantastic campaign." The new councillor said his priorities will be to address local traffic problems, housing and the vacant buildings in downtown Ac- ton, among other issues. The by-election was needed to fill the council seat left empty after Councillor Mike O'Leary passed away in May. Albano will now serve along- side fellow Ward 1 Councillor Jon Hurst, who thanked all of the con- tenders for putting their names forward in the election and local voters "for choosing an individual who I believe is well aware of the various issues, and who will serve our constituents exceptionally well." "For 12 years my dear colleague Mike O'Leary and I worked to- gether for the betterment of our community, often not agreeing, but always supporting what was best for Acton, and for Halton Hills," Hurst said. "I'm confident that Mike Albano will be comfort- able stepping into that teammate role, as well as bringing fresh and experienced perspective to the council table." The polls were steady through- out the day on Monday, said Town Clerk Suzanne Jones. Albano took an early lead on Monday night and maintained it during the third poll. When the final and fourth poll was counted, Albano led, followed by Robert Be- dard, 213; Norm Paget, 204; Geoff Maltby, 185; Sue Walker, 179; Terry Jackson, 146 and Waldo Paquete, 1. The results were declared offi- cial on Tuesday. Jones reported that 7,729 resi- dents in Ward 1 were eligible to cast votes at the Acton Arena or Town Hall Centre. There were 417 voters at the advance polls earlier this month. A total of 1,229 people, or 15.62 per cent, turned out to vote in the by-election-- a number that was almost as low as Ward 1's turnout in the 2010 municipal election, when the mayoral and all Acton councillor seats were acclaimed. At that time, only 14.98 per cent of Acton voters went to cast a bal- lot for a Regional Chair and school trustee. Voter turnout numbers were not available for past by- elections. Most candidates voiced their disappointment with this week's low turnout. "From the amount of people who said they're going to vote when I was door knocking, I really thought more would've turned out," said Maltby. "Voter apathy is what it's about these days. People aren't engaged. Unless it's right in front on their own house, they re- ally don't care." Jackson said she thinks the low turnout can be partly attributed to the by-election falling in the mid- dle of a federal election. "But the people have spoken, and that's why d e m o c r a c y works," she said. "It was a good cam- paign and I'm proud to have been part of it. I think Mr. Al- bano will be a good council- lor." Paget echoed Jackson on all ac- counts. "I think Mike will do a great job, and he knows I will always be here to support him," he said. "This is democracy and it has been exer- cised. It was an interesting process to go through." Walker said if it couldn't be her in the Ward 1 councillor seat, she considers Albano the next best op- tion. "I'm happy to see Mike win. There were a lot of good candidates to pick from, and I think he's a great choice," she said. "It was a good race; I learned a lot." And Bedard said, "Obviously I'm a little dis- appointed, but it's democracy in action and the people have spoken. I wish Mike all the best going forward." At press time, Paquete-- a Georgetown resident and former Ward 4 candidate-- hadn't re- turned The Independent and Free Press' call. Albano led the polls from the start Mike Albano receives a kiss of congratulations from his wife Nancy at the Civic Centre Monday night, after learning he won the by-election. Photo by Melanie Hennessey Continued from page 1 Newly-elected Ward 1 Councillor Mike Albano (left) receives a hug of congrat- ulations from candidate Sue Walker and a handshake from candidate Norm Paget at the Civic Centre Monday where they had waited for the results to come in. Photo by Melanie Hennessey THE RESULTS MIKE ALBANO: 298 ROBERT BEDARD: 213 NORM PAGET: 204 GEOFF MALTBY: 185 SUE WALKER: 179 TERRY JACKSON: 146 WALDO PAQUETE: 1