Incumbents dominate voting for city council
SIX COUNCILLORS RETURNING FOR FOUR MORE YEARS
A number of sitting Lethbridge city councillors held on to their seats Monday night, ensuring their jobs for another four years.
Joe Mauro will return for another four years on council. His campaign included his plans to continue to work on safety and security issues in the community, eliminating many of the closed-session meeting sheld by council, and contributing to increased engagement with the public.
Mauro came in second place with 8,891 or 6.97 per cent of the votes.
“I’m very excited and I’m happy that I’m there again,” he said, thanking the citizens of Lethbridge.
Mauro said he was disappointed by voter turnout, however.
“It was even less than it was four years ago,” he said. “And that’s sad. It seems to me that’s the biggest thing we need to (take care of ).”
Jeff Carlson is back for another term. His campaign highlighted the need for innovation, compassion, arts, recreation and the environment.
Carlson came in third place with 8,140 votes. “I’m thrilled,” he said. Carlson said he felt honoured by the high number of votes he received as well.
“It gives me a huge passion going forward,” he said.
Ryan Parker will return for another term. He ran a campaign on balance between residential, industrial, and commercial development in the city, including development for all areas of the city.
Parker came in fourth place with 7,919 votes.
“I’m very humbled and excited about another four years for our community,” he said. “It was a long election, and it was crazy busy, but I’m looking forward to working with these new councillors.”
Parker said transportation issues may have been key to his success, but it was personal traits that may have carried the day.
“Maybe just keeping a positive demeanour and people knowing they could trust me was the key,” he said.
Blaine Hyggen is back for a second term. In his platform, he pushed to continue work on the Capital Improvement Plan, more work on fighting the opioid crisis and the services provided by the City, and an increased representation of the business community.
Hyggen came in fifth place with 7,438 votes.
He started off slow, however, a fact that was not lost on him.
“I was nervous at the beginning,” he said. I was out in the first couple polls.”
Hyggen said he was likely helped by facing a few last-minute issues head on — particularly spending, and the City’s recent land purchases.
“I was a little nervous, to be honest,” he said. “I didn't know how they might hurt me, but I was very honest and transparent, and answered any questions that came in.”
Jeffrey Coffman retained his seat. In his campaign, he spoke about his role as a councillor and applying the principles of business planning and financial projections to budget decisions. Coffman also campaigned on his goals to increase reporting, establish policies, and regulate spending. Coffman came in seventh place with 7,368 or 5.78 per cent of the votes.
“It’s an honour to be re-elected, and I certainly appreciate the support and encouragement I got during the campaign,” he said.
“Certainly the topic of good governance and people talking about the need to elect people who understand the role was a great conversation in the community. A lot of people talked about it. People talked about the budgeting process as well. Hopefully, the new council will address some changes that will benefit everybody.”
Rob Miyashiro will be back for four more years. His campaign highlighted his goal of returning to complete unfinished projects currently underway, as well as continuing to promote the city as a business-friendly community, work towards inclusion, and working toward continued growth in the agri-business and agri-processing sectors, as well as planned, sustainable growth. Miyashiro came in eighth place with 7,272 or 5.7 per cent of the votes.
“I’m obviously excited,” he said. “I have almost the same amount of votes I had last time. But the way the voting pattern went, I went from fifth down to eighth.
“It’s good I got in, but I’m sad Coun.. Iwaskiw won’t be back. She was a huge asset to council. I’m looking forward to working with the new people, though.”
Please note, the numbers presented are unofficial until finalized.
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