Municipal Elections Bring Fresh Leadership to Local Areas

Monday’s municipal election changed local leadership across southwestern Ontario.

In the municipalities of St. Thomas and Central Elgin, voters removed several incumbents, introducing new faces to councils. These neighboring areas are experiencing growth due to the expected increase in population and economic activity from a significant Volkswagen electric vehicle battery plant and other upcoming projects.

Voters decided to re-elect mayors in Woodstock, Strathroy-Caradoc, Tillsonburg, and Ingersoll.

In St. Thomas, longtime councillor Jeff Kohler has been elected as mayor. He expressed his gratitude to a crowd of supporters just moments after polls closed, celebrating a clear victory with 7,407 votes.

Runner-up Aidan Frederick received 2,641 votes.

Jeff Kohler and his wife, Jennifer Kohler, on election night. (Alessio Donnini/CBC)

Shortly after learning of his win, Kohler shared with supporters that he aims to govern with fiscal responsibility at the forefront.

He also pointed out that things have changed significantly since he was mayor from 2003 to 2006.

“We’re heading into a very difficult time right now. Very exciting times, and very difficult.. but at the end of the day, it’s how we’re going to manage that without cutting services [that matters],” Kohler told reporters on election night.

New Faces on St. Thomas Council

St. Thomas will welcome four new councillors to its eight-member council following Monday’s election results.

Councillors Gary Clarke, Lori Baldwin-Sands, Rose Gibson, and Steve Wookey successfully won their re-election bids.

New members include Heather Jackson, Mike Brisson, Kyle Yates, and Joe Docherty Jr.

Councillors Jim Herbert, Joan Rymal, and Earl Taylor lost their seats while running for re-election.

Dennis Crevits has been elected as mayor of Central Elgin. (Dennis Crevits)

New Mayor and Council in Central Elgin

Unofficial results for Central Elgin-bordering St. Thomas-indicate a council filled entirely with newcomers. p >

Dennis Crevits has been elected mayor of Central Elgin with 2 ,552 votes. Ward 2 Coun. Morgaine Griffin was his opponent , receiving 2 ,145 votes. p >

Central Elgin will also have a new deputy mayor , as Meagan Ruddock takes over from Todd Noble , who opted not to run again. Ruddock faced no challengers. p >

In Central Elgin ‘s Ward 1 , Lisa Harrison won with 1 ,198 votes compared to Cliff Speers ‘s 278 votes. p >

In Ward 2 , Linda Westaway came out on top with 577 votes against runner-up Connie Jackson’s 472. p >

For Ward 3 , Aron West secured victory with 394 votes over runner-up Melissa Schneider’s count of 173 votes. p >

Central Elgin ‘s Ward 4 had an extremely close three-way race between candidates – Tom Marks , David Conners , and Leigh Mauer. Marks emerged victorious with just five more votes than Conners -223 against Conners ‘218. p >

Ward 5’s David Baughman was acclaimed since he ran unopposed and will retain his seat. p >

Unofficial Results: h2 >

Woodstock h2 > Mayor: Jerry Acchione
Deputy Mayor: Deb Tait
County Councillor: Kelly Gilson
City Councillors: Kate Leatherbarrow , Joe Brown , Connie Lauder , Wes Mazur p >

Strathroy-Caradoc h2 > Mayor: Colin Grantham
Deputy Mayor: Mike Mc Guire
Ward 1 Councillors: Steve Pelkman , Kevin Morrison , Brad Richards , Donna Pammer
Ward 2 Councillors: Greg Willsie , Sheri Faccenda , Sandi Hipple p >

Tillsonburg h2 >Mayor : Deb Gilvesy
Councillors : Lindsey Ambrus Mejaki, Dave Beres, Ron Gasparetto, and John Gilvesy : Christopher Parker; Chrissy Rosehart  | | | o | | | _| __|___|_____|<<h
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