.JPG) |
| Mayor elect Don Anderberg after the polls closed earlier tonight T. Lucas photo |
- Mayor-elect Don Anderberg's acceptance statement
- Council to hold a public meeting on October 28 will include swearing in ceremonies
Chris Davis - Don Anderberg won a narrow victory over incumbent Ernie Olsen and candidate Stanley Stoklosa in tonight's election for Pincher Creek Mayor. Anderberg received 354 votes, just 53 votes ahead of Olsen, who received 301 votes. Stoklosa received 221 votes.
Anderberg was Pincher Creek Mayor once before, from 2004 to 2007. He also served as a councillor from 2001 to 2004 and again during the past term from 2010-2013.
As a result of the election process, this will be the Council for the Town of Pincher Creek for the next four years:
Mayor - Don Anderberg
Councillors (all acclaimed) - Lorne Jackson (incumbent), Mark Barber, Wayne Elliott, Adrian Hartman, Tammy Rubbelke, Douglas Thornton
Anderberg expressed disappointment about the level of public engagement in the election. "There was really low voter turn out. We only had 850 some votes," (876 was the official number-ed). According to Town CAO Laurie Wilgosh, more than 1200 people voted in the previous election. "It may be because it was for the Mayor only," Anderberg continued. "If we had a race for council, I think we would have piqued more interest. So I'm a little disappointed with the turnout, but the results are quite okay with me."
"The big decision for me (in deciding to run) was the four year term. It's a big commitment for anybody that steps up now."
Pincher Creek's new Town Council will be meeting next Monday evening, October 28. The meeting will be open to the public. There will be a social/media event starting at 5:30 pm to be followed by swearing in ceremonies and a council meeting.
Anderberg handed out a press release after the election results were in that he wished to present as his acceptance statement. It reads as follows:
Thank you to all the people who chose to vote for me today. I am honoured to be your Mayor. I will always work hard to live up to the responsibility and trust that you have place in me.
I am proud to have run a positive campaign based on community issues and my experience.
I feel it is important to have elections to get issues out and to let people have input into the direction of their community. Thank you to Mayor Olsen and Mr. Stoklosa for putting their names forward and running for mayor in this election.
During the campaign I have had the pleasure of meeting and talking to many of our citizens. I now have a better understanding of the issues that are of most concern. I have listened and will act on a number of your comments and suggestions in due course. Moving forward I will continue to focus on positive results for Pincher Creek with the help of you the citizens, Town administration, municipal employees, and council.
I would like to thank the past council and mayor for their dedication and service to our community.
I would also like to welcome our new council to the next four years of making decisions and guiding our community forward.
A number of people volunteered to help in many ways with my campaign. Thank you for all your advice and help along the way.
I would also like to acknowledge the press and media outlets for their excellent coverage of this election and the opportunity to get our message out to the public.
I thank my wife Diane for her support and dedication to my decision to run for mayor. Dian gave me the push, or the comment or the get back on the positive track advice when and if I needed it. She is very dedicated to this community and I am proud of that.
As always I will work in the best interests of Pincher Creek.
- Don Anderberg
Congratulations to Don on his election victory, and to all the candidates for stepping up to run for office. Make no mistake, elected office is a daunting challenge for anyone!
ReplyDeletePersonally, I think too much emphasis is placed on 'low voter turnout'. The stark reality is that most eligible voters either can't, or more likely won't, make the effort to become informed enough about election issues and candidate positions. From the perspective of a voter who does make that effort, one should appreciate the rationality of an uninformed voter making the conscious choice NOT to vote. At least that way, the election results reflect the will of the electorate who take the time to vote in an informed fashion, rather than basing their vote on the number of election signs they see (name recognition), or the physical appearance of the candidate from photos/TV/online.
By not voting, the uninformed voter is making an (un)conscious choice to allow better informed voters to do their reasoning on candidates and the issues of the day for them. Is that not preferable then somehow coercing the uninformed to vote in some way based on superficial reasoning? I think so.
Looking forward to respectful dialogue and representation from the new Mayor and Council - was very evident that this was not present in the past! Please listen to the ratepayers and their issues and deal with fairly and respectfully. All the best in the next four years!
ReplyDelete