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The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanvillc, November 12,1997 Pace 2 Diane Hamre Mary Novak John Mutton Mayor Regional Councillor Regional Councillor Wards 1 & 2 Wards 3 & 4 Jim Schell Troy Young Charlie Trim Local Councillor Local Councillor Local Councillor Ward 2 Ward 3 Ward 4 New Faces on Council From page l out Gail Symc, Arnol Woltcn and Kelly Burke in what was, at times, a tight race. Although lie's never sal at the council table before, Schell is no stranger to the issues. He has dutifully attended all GPA (general purpose and administration) committee meetings and municipal council meetings for the past three-year term, missing only four meetings. "It looks like a good council," council," Schell said after his victory victory was certain Monday night. "A lot of inexperience though, including myself. We've got some boning up to do." He foresees the GTA, provincial downloading and economic development as jbeing.kcy issues. Ward ' Three, Troy Youiig took the lead and 'never let go as he out-distanced out-distanced opponent Steven Cooke. "It feels very good," Young noted as lie watched the numbers accumulate on the board in the council chambers. Looking towards the immediate future, Young said there arc a number of goals he has for his term, including improvements to Bennett Road. "The residents of Wilmol Creek pay high taxes but don't have anything to show for it. The municipality doesn't doesn't plough their roads, collect their garbage or provide the lights, so 1 propose that we fix the road for them." Ward Four's new local councillor, Charlie Trim, was smiling as he considered the numbers. "It's just about what 1 calculated," calculated," Trim remarked. He pointed out that he didn't make any promises from the start, except to try to ensure that the quality of life so many people in Ward Four enjoy now will continue. - On the regional side of i Clarington, two former councillors councillors -- one local and one regional -- lost their seats. In one of the closest races of the election, local councillor councillor Mary Novak edged out fellow-councillor Pat Pinglc for the ward 1 &2 regional seat by just 365 votes. The count was Novak 3,905 to Pingle's 3,540. By 10:30 p.m. Mary Novak dropped into Diane Hamrc's victory celebration at the Bowmanvillc Legion Hall to offer her congratulations. congratulations. Novak and Hamre will be the only two members of the present council returning to town hall. "I feel really good, really privileged" to have been reelected, reelected, said Novak. "1 believe I was chosen for my experience." The newest regional councillor councillor will be representing Wards 3 and 4. John Mutton said he had counted on the fact that he had been born and raised in Bowmanvillc and is now "an adopted son of Newcastle" to help his numbers. numbers. The. wards he represents include •• both eastern Bowmanvillc and former Ward Three (Clarke, Newcastle and Orono). Mutton acknowledged that lie thought "the vote would be close." The first local council meeting will take place on Monday, Dec. 1. United Way Nearing $3 Million Goal From page 1 The '97 campaign kicked off in September under the slogan "An Idea Whose Time Has Come." United Way organizers say they are now nearing the half way mark. Bob Howard says he is "cautiously optimistic" optimistic" about achieving the target, despite a number of challenges. He notes that the usual fund-raising activities at area schools (which usually contribute about $150,000) were interrupted due to the province-wide teachers' protest. Another challenge the United Way is facing is a general "head count decline" in public service. Howard says provincial and federal cutbacks have resulted in fewer employees in a lot of offices. However, he takes heart in the fact that per capita contributions contributions seem to be on the increase. Another reason for optimism is the generosity generosity of key contributors in the Clarington area. For instance, Goodyear's campaign turned in more than $21,000, which is about 10% higher than last year. \ Visit with jolly old St. Nick at the Mall! Wrap up your Christmas Shopping! You'll find something for everyone on your list. From the easiest to shop for to the' person who has everything... make your first and last stop here! SANTA'S HOURS UNTIL CHRISTMAS Thursday and Friday 2-4p.m, and6-8 p.m. Saturday 10 a,m. -12:00 noon and 2 - 4 p.m. FREE SANTA PHOTO with the kids! Compliments of Rapid Photo The Bowmanvillc Mall King Street East and Simpson Avenue Lots of FREE PARKING! Jane Rowe Local Councillor Wardt Coffin, Willsher Elected To New District Board by Lorraine Manfredo Staff Writer Public school ratepayers have elected newcomer Nancy Coffin and incumbent incumbent Bob Willsher to represent represent them on the local school board as it undergoes undergoes significant changes next year. The final vole count from Monday's municipal election was: Bob Willsher 6,337; Nancy Coffin 4,836; Frances Ivy 2,611; and Inn Savage 2,005. Bob Willsher was the chairman of the Northumberland and Clarington school board last year and has been a trustee for the past 11 years. He has balanced his board business with his job at General Motors. Coffin is a newcomer to politics but not to school board issues, having served' for the past seven years on a Special Education Committee which advises school boards on the requirements of special needs students. She plans to keep her job as a part-time sales associate associate and devote herself fulltime fulltime to her board duties. As of January 1, 1998, the present Northumberland and • Clarington' 1 public school-board will)merge with the Peterborough board. The new board, to be named School District #14, will have responsibility for over 100 schools in its combined combined jurisdiction. Local school boards will no longer decide the education education tax rate for their districts, districts, as that power will be transferred to the province. Despite the changes, school boards will still provide provide a local voice for parents, parents, says Coffin. "Even though we don't set the mill rate, the challenge challenge will be dividing the funding we receive from the government and hopefully hopefully continuing the excellent excellent programs we have in the Northumberland Clarington Board." Bob Willsher predicts the district board will face enormous challenges in the first year as it brings two organizations together. Acclamation for Separate Board Separate school board nominee Joe Nca| and incumbent Caroline Burke were acclaimed in Clarington. They will represent represent the municipality on the Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland and Clarington Roman Catholic Separate School Board. Nancy Coffin Bob Willsher Hamre Re-Elected as Mayor From page 1 3,075 difference between her and her opponent, Cecil Mackcscy. "I sec how well he did and it sends a message to me," she admitted. As for the changes on council, the only other former former member of council to win a scat is Mary Novak, Hamre noted, "there have been some surprises. I've lost good friends through retirement (and this election). election). The last council worked well together." She says she's looking forward to meeting the new challenges ahead with the new councillors. "They're all excellent people, and I'm looking forward to working with them/' Hamre said. At the Flying Dutchman, a parly of another sort took place, with Cecil Mackcscy and his family and supporters quietly talking among themselves. "I'm tired, but happy. It was my first time out, and it showed me that people heard the message I was sending out," Cecil Mackcscy observed. "These arc the people who ran my campaign. Family people. They want to sec changes for their families. "They gave up hours and hours to my campaign," campaign," he noted. He vows that he will continue to be involved in the community, and continue continue to attend council meetings when he can. "I want to keep an eye on what council is doing," Mackcscy explained. He also wants to "work witli the mayor" in making the council chamber a; friendly place for those who want to air their con-; corns. "It needs to be a place where people feel welcomed, welcomed, where opposing views arc respected, not shot down or made to feel embarrassed," lie said. He says lie hopes the councillors will change the procedures to enable a more responsive council. This year there were 44,980 eligible voters and only 13,704 voted for the position of mayor. That's just under one-third of the total number of voters; entitled to cast their ballots on Monday.