No change at the top in Saugeen Shores — but some new blood second in command in the 2010 election.
With no real surprise, Mike Smith wins a third term as Mayor, beating Councillor Victoria Serda by 3,547 votes. (Smith 4,790 – Serda 1,243)
Smith is joined by a new Deputy Mayor as councillor Luke Charbonneau edged out incumbent Deputy Mayor Doug Freiburger by just over a thousand votes. (Charbonneau 3,541 – Freiburger 2,499).
Charbonneau, surrounded by family, seemed pleased and a little surprised at the results.
Smith says he is sad to see Frieburger go but knows that both him and Charbonneau have worked hard on council and knows this is all part of the business.
Topping out council votes for the Saugeen Ward is newcomer Gary Brown and incumbent Tawn Frosst.
In the Southampton Ward — incumbent Diane Huber and Thead Seaman won the two spots.
In the French Public School Trustee vote — Eric Lapointe finished ahead of Guy Belcourt.
Smith was pleased with the overall voter turnout.
Smith says another reason the mail in ballot system is so well received is the results are in earlier than normal.
Monday night’s results were in less than 40 minutes after polls closed.
Smith says they will now look forward to the new council with finishing off some big capital projects and the new official plan.
Acclaimed is Port Elgin Councillors Marcel Legault and Fred Schildroth, Vice Deputy Mayor Doug Gowanlock, English Public Trustee Kevin Larson, English Separate School Trustee Jules Vanhaelemeesch and acclaimed Catholic French Trustee Marc Allard.
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Saugeen Shores – FINAL Unofficial Results
Mayor
Victoria Serda – 1273
ELECTED – Mike Smith – 4790
Deputy Mayor
ELECTED – Luke Charbonneau – 3541
Doug Freiburger – 2499
Vice Deputy Mayor
Doug Gowanlock – ACCLAIMED
Port Elgin Councillor
Marcel Legault – ACCLAIMED
Fred Schildroth – ACCLAIMED
Councillor – Saugeen Ward
ELECTED – Gary R. Brown – 723
ELECTED – Taun Frosst – 613
Cindy Cartwright – 550
Councillor – Southampton Ward
Sunny Cushnie – 944
ELECTED – Diane Huber – 1337
ELECTED – Thead Seaman – 1205
English Public School Trustee
Kevin Larson – ACCLAIMED
English Separate School Trustee
Jules Vanhaelemeesch – ACCLAIMED
French Language Public School
Guy M. Belcourt – 3
ELECTED – Eric R. Lapointe – 4
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Please find below Victoria Serda Mayoral Candidate for Saugeen Shores municipalitys concession speech.
Thank you all for coming tonight to celebrate this wonderful community and our campaign that was dedicated to promoting communication and vision in Saugeen Shores.
First of all, congratulations to Mayor Mike Smith: I wish him the best on his next four years on council.
Through the campaign, we went to 500 homes and appreciated hearing people opening their doors to us and sharing their concerns and opinions. I hope to keep hearing the wisdom and feedback from the community, so please keep the comments coming!
This campaign has been a team effort of many people throughout the community helping in any way they could, through canvassing, our website, displaying posters, chatting with neighbours, and through generous donations, putting out signs and creating handouts to spread the message that your voice counts.
Thanks to all the businesses who have helped along the way.
Thank you to all of the media personnel who have cooperated in getting my message out to the public, which we all know is a difficult and often thankless task. The coverage of this election was done well, with decorum and much attention to detail.
Thank you to the other candidates who have been willing to put their names forward to serve their community: it is a great sacrifice and is often unacknowledgedI value all candidates commitment to our community. This campaign has been highly engaging, spirited and highly professional. In particular, Id like to thank our current Mayor and Warden Mike Smith for his deep dedication and commitment to the community. I hope all the newly elected councillors will take the feedback from the campaign and implement the changes people want in our community.
A heart-felt thanks to the core team of people who have worked tirelessly and supported my campaign through the past few months~ the harassment to get me out canvassing and gruelling debate support showed your sense of humour and ultimately your deep caring about the future of our community.
And last but not least, sincere thanks to my family: to Mom and Dad for getting the restaurants and businesses on side and being strong emotional support, to my brother Joseph for his fundraising efforts, to my husband Jamie for pounding in stakes after the harsh storms early in the campaign and putting up with talking endlessly about politics, and to my daughter Corrina for her many hours of canvassing, unfailing happy spirit, and her deep desire to be involved in politics to create a better future. This has been a true multi-generational family effort, and I am really grateful for their efforts.
For the next four years, we will continue to work with the elected council to plan for the future needs of our town together, by listening to the community and working together to ensure a thriving and vibrant community where all who live here are happy with their quality of life.
Thank you all for coming, and to all the voters, a big, big thank you for your support of my vision~Heres to a vibrant Saugeen Shores!
Sincerely,
Victoria Serda
