RETURN OF FAMILIAR FACES
Around Saskatchewan, popular mayors were re-elected with enthusiasm while several smaller communities in the Saskatoon area failed to field challengers and returned incumbents by acclamation, Betty Ann Adam writes.
FOUGERE CRUISES TO VICTORY
On Wednesday night, Michael Fougere was elected to his second term as mayor of Regina.
At press time, Fougere had picked up 18,135 votes, well ahead of Tony Fiacco, his closest challenger, who had 3,085 votes. Fougere’s share of the votes, 69 per cent, was much better than his 42.4 per cent in the 2012 election.
“It was quite the night, fantastic,” he said to supporters Wednesday night. “We get back to work tomorrow. We begin the agenda for the new council coming up.”
Upon his election, Fougere was quick to thank the voters.
The win comes after what many have seen as a lacklustre municipal election. In a Postmedia poll conducted two weeks ago, 41 per cent of all respondents stated they would vote for Fougere. Wayne Ast and Tony Fiacco were his closest challengers at four per cent each. In the same poll, 46 per cent said they were undecided. At a mayoral debate on Oct. 6, only 40 people showed up, leaving several empty chairs. Wayne Ast, who picked up 1,850 votes and finished in fourth place, did not show up to either forum.
GREG DIONNE RE-ELECTED IN PRINCE ALBERT
Dionne was returned to the mayors’ seat in a landslide, with 44,050 votes, compared to 2,700 votes for his nearest competitor, Martin Ring.
“That’s a really good endorsement of my platform and my first four years,” Dionne said.
Josh Morrow, who ran a controversial, adversarial campaign, “got what he deserved,” with about 1,500 votes, Dionne said.
“It tells the people of our city don’t put up with that kind of negative campaign,” he said.
Dionne said he wants to “repair the city,” noting he and council put down 40 kilometres of new pavement, which is about 20 per cent of the total streets in the city. Council also put in great deal of infrastructure, such as water and sewer, sidewalks and curbs. This was accomplished through a $189 per-household levy that raised $40 million.
LACK OF CHALLENGERS
Martensville incumbent mayor Kent Muench was returned by acclimation in a city where council candidates talked about expanding civic services and amenities, business incentives, property taxation and seniors.
North Battleford mayor Ryan Bater supported the work of council in the last term, including downtown revitalization, community safety and underground infrastructure.
Corman Park reeve Judy Harwood said she hopes her election by acclamation is a sign of confidence from residents of the rural municipality that surrounds Saskatoon and not a sign of apathy. She was first elected over incumbent Mel Henry in 2012.
A major focus will be protecting the interests of landowners in the RM as Saskatoon and surrounding small cities of Martensville, Osler and Warman plan for expansion in a regional planning committee.
“We are the only ones who are going to have to give up land,” she said. In the 50 to 80 years it may take for the region to reach a population of one million, landowners need to be able to use or develop their land, she added. Some ratepayers’ planned developments are being stalled within “the future growth area,” she said.
WARMAN MAYOR RETURNS
Incumbent Sheryl Spence won by about 500 votes over her only challenger, retired city manager Ivan Gabrysh.
She said her first priority is building and mending some relationships.
“During an election, things do get fractured,” she said.
The growing city needs more doctors to supplement the three now working at its only clinic, especially when doctors go out of town on holidays. She also wants to increase economic development in the town, she said.