Exactly half of the 16 members of county council will be new faces after the election on Monday saw a number of mayors and councillors defeated.
Among those who will not be returning are Erin Mayor Rod Finnie, Puslinch Mayor Brad Whitcombe, Wellington North Mayor Mike Broomhead, Minto Mayor David Anderson, as well as county councillors Bob Wilson and Walter Trachsel. They all went down to defeat.
As well, councillors Barb McKay and Carl Hall did not seek re-election.
In Erin, current county councillor Lou Maieron will be returning to county council, but this time as Erin’s mayor. Former Erin councillor Ken Chapman was successful in his bid for Maieron’s old Ward 9 seat, defeating candidate George Root.
In Puslinch, Dennis Lever will sit as Puslinch Mayor. Don McKay successfully defended the county Ward 8 seat held by his wife, Barb.
In one of the more intriguing battles of the night, county Ward 5 councillor Jean Innes defeated challenger Bob Wilson, who had moved over from his seat in Ward 6 to challenge her.
Innes said in an interview on Monday night, “I’m just so glad it was a clear win. I’m thrilled.” She received 60 per cent of the vote.
Innes said she was particularly pleased she will be able to work on the master plan for the Aboyne museum lands, which will be the site of the new OPP station and new hospital.
Wilson cited Innes receiving 60 per cent of the vote, and said, “That’s pretty sure.”
When asked if he regretted shifting from Ward 6, he said, “I don’t know if I’d have done any better in the south.”
Wilson added. “I have no regrets. I’ve done this for 25 years. I’m going to get holidays now. It’s been four years since I took some.”
Centre Wellington Mayor and current county Warden Joanne Ross-Zuj will return to county council.
In county Ward 4, incumbent Lynda White easily defeated challenger Jim Heinbuch with four times the challenger’s vote count.
In county Ward 3, there is a change as incumbent Walter Trachsel fell to Wellington North’s Public Works Superintendent Gary Williamson.
Another challenger, Paul Kopp, finished third.
Bruce Whale is the new mayor of Mapleton and will sit at county council with retired mayor John Green, who was acclaimed in Ward 2.
George Bridge is the new mayor of Minto, and will joined acclaimed Ward 1 councillor Mark Mackenzie.
The new county council will be:
– Puslinch Mayor Dennis Lever;
– Erin Mayor Lou Maieron;
– Guelph-Eramosa Mayor Chris White;
– Centre Wellington Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj;
– Mapleton Mayor Bruce Whale;
– Wellington North Mayor Ray Tout; and
Minto Mayor George Bridge.
The county councillors are”
– Ward 1, Mark MacKenzie;
– Ward 2, John Green;
– Ward 3, Gary Williamson;
– Ward 4, Lynda White;
– Ward 5, Jean Innes;
– Ward 6, Shawn Watters;
– Ward 7, Don McKay;
– Ward 8, Gord Tosh; and
– Ward 9, Ken Chapman.
