Change is what they wanted; change is what they got.
As a result, Raymond Tout of Mount Forest is Wellington North’s new mayor, replacing incumbent Mike Broomhead.
It was the four-way race for mayor that probably led to almost a three way tie in Wellington North.
As prospective candidates gathered at the council chambers in Kenilworth, it was clear many had chosen to get their information elsewhere.
Only two of the prospective mayors and a handful of council candidates were at the chambers. Some candidates had separate gatherings elsewhere in the community.
It was well over an hour after the polls closed at 8pm before results started to trickle in, and those results were not fast and furious.
One of the first things to happen after the initial results was a clear message that one of the mayoral candidates was trailing badly.
Shortly thereafter, Janice Lewis silently left the building.
Ross Chaulk said the priorities for the new council should be fiscal responsibility and openness in government. For him, the campaign was interesting and he had great response in Arthur, the rural areas and Mount Forest.
It wasn’t until the final ballot box came in from Mount Forest that the race for a new mayor was decided. Until that ballot box arrived, Chaulk led in the polls.
Chaulk remained realistic about the final results, which pushed Tout into victory and him into third.
Chaulk noted that in a previous election, he had been voted in by a matter of only six votes.
In a Tuesday morning telephone interview, newly-elected mayor Ray Tout stated “There was a strong message that people wanted change; they voiced it strong with their numbers.”
He added that regardless of the vote, he considered all of the candidates winners for the hard work they’d put into the community.
But he said each candidate would not have been able to do that work without the support of family, friends, scrutineers, and the community.
Tout anticipates a busy four years ahead with 90% of council being newly elected.
One of his main priorities will be providing transparency to the public – especially during the budget process.
However, he added that it is hard to comment much further until he has had a chance to sit down with the new council.
While he has other issues he wants to deal with, he said they might not be the same as other councillors.
Although he did not have official figures, Tout believed turnout was close to 50%.
“There was a strong message from voters that they wanted change, and certainly change has come to Wellington North.”
As for the three way split in the main votes for mayor, Tout said it was difficult to make a blanket statement.
The difference between first and third place was fewer than 300 votes.
“Each candidate had areas where they were strongest.”
Unofficial poll results back that up.
Tout’s strongest support was in the northern wards of the township topping out in all but one poll.
Meanwhile in the southern ward, it was Chaulk who led in all but one poll.
Broomhead led in the polls in Wellington North’s three nursing homes (north and south).
After being reached by telephone Tuesday, Broomhead said “I don’t think I have a comment to offer.”
Ward 3
The only other area where a recount may be requested is Ward 3 where the unofficial count offered a four-vote split between candidates Mark Goetz and Lisa Hern.
