Two new councillors as Membertou re-elects chief
MEMBERTOU — Storm Alexander Sack might consider three his lucky number after winning a seat on the Membertou band council Thursday night.
It was the third time the 24-year-old has run for council, the first being when he was 18. And with 303 votes, Sack had the highest number of votes out of all 12 elected councillors.
"I guess people just believe in me," said Sack. "I just try to help anyone I can I guess."
Sack was one of two new councillors elected on Oct. 22 but the only one who's never been on council before.
Anthony Ike Paul, who goes by his middle name, was elected to council before but retired for a few years before deciding to run in 2020.
The other 10 councillors were re-elected. Sack and Ike Paul will replace former councillors Cory Paul who resigned and Robin Googoo who retired.
Returning officer Chris Laporte said voter turnout was consistent with previous years with about 71 per cent of eligible voters submitting their ballots for chief and council.
However, he believes there were some challenges to getting everyone's vote in on time during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"This one was a little more difficult because of COVID. Mail service was so slow. I think that was because Canada Post is so busy delivering all the online orders," said Laporte who has been returning officer for more than a decade.
Not only did this affect candidates who might want to send pamphlets, but also people submitting mail-in ballots.
"A lot of people were determined to make sure I got their ballot (before the deadline)," said Laporte. "They used buses, they used courier... Thanks to the voters for working so hard to get their ballots into me."
Sack is the youngest councillor elected this term and three women held on to their seats; Lee Gould, Johanna Laporte and Gail Christmas, who became the youngest woman elected to council in 2016 when she was 28.
Only one person, Edwin Laporte, ran against Chief Terrence (Terry) Paul who has held the position since 1984. Paul (443 votes) was named chief again with 138 more votes than Laporte (304 votes).
"Every election period, I am grateful for the support of our community," Chief Paul said in a written statement.
"They continue to place their trust in me to lead Membertou and I work every day to represent our community to the fullest."
Sack is also ready to serve his community as best he can and although it's his first time elected, politics may run in his blood. His grandfather Alex Christmas, who he calls Dad because he raised him since he was three-years-old, is district chief of the Union of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq and his uncle is Senator Dan Christmas.
"Right now, I still don't feel much ... I am still in shock, I guess," said Sack who obviously doesn't like talking about himself.
"My community ... they put me there, you know what I mean? The community gave me the votes (to win a seat). I get along with everybody and I try to treat everybody the same. I can be a voice for the ones who aren't heard."