In addition to the overwhelming theme of change, this municipal election will likely be remembered for close races – but that is not necessarily the case when it comes to the races for school board trustees.
In fact, most of the races in the wards within Wellington County weren’t much of a race at all.
In the northern ward of the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB), which includes Mapleton, Minto and Wellington North, incumbent Bruce Schieck won an overwhelming victory, garnering 3,848 votes (51%).
Timothy Meyers followed with 1,337 votes (18%) while Irma DeVries won 1,200 (16%) and Doris French won 1,121 (15%).
In the southern ward, including the City of Guelph and Puslinch Township, Marty Fairbairn seemed to cruise to victory over opponent James McClure. Fairbairn received 2,616 votes (58%), while McClure received 1,901 (42%).
However, it is interesting to note that the race was much closer in Puslinch alone, with Fairbairn garnering just ten more votes (796) in that township than McClure (786).
In the UGDSB’s eastern ward, which includes Erin, Guelph-Eramosa and East Garafraxa, newcomer Kathryn Cooper dominated the polls against long-time trustee Ralph Edwards.
Copper, who repeatedly stressed the need throughout her campaign for a more “progressive” school board, received 3,696 votes (71%) to Edwards’ 1,536 (29%). Her margin of victory was more pronounced in Erin, but she scored impressive victories in all three areas.
David Gohn was acclaimed in Centre Wellington for the UGDSB, while Steve Redmond was acclaimed in the Wellington County Catholic Board area that includes Erin, Guelph-Eramosa, Puslinch and wards 2 and 4 in Centre Wellington.
In the other Catholic board area, James Coffey was the successful trustee candidate, winning 990 votes (60%) in Minto, Mapleton, Wellington North and Centre Wellington. Stephen Kitras finished second with 668 votes (40%).
