NORTH PERTH – The (unofficial) results are in and North Perth residents have spoken, electing their 2022 municipal council for the coming term on Monday night.
Of the 10 council spots available, eight members were re-elected on Oct. 24. Todd Kasenberg, seeking his second straight term as mayor, handily defeated opponent Julian George by over 1,700 votes, or a four-to-one ratio.
“It’s actually quite remarkably satisfying,” commented Kasenberg on Tuesday monring. “I came in last time, of course, my first term as a complete outsider, and I think managed to work with council to create a lot of positive momentum on issues. I had to manage through a pandemic – and I don’t think any mayor signed up for that four years ago. We got through it, and we continue to build North Perth in ways that are consistent that I felt were important and valuable to our community.
“So it was nice to have that recognition that comes from election to indicate that yes, I’ve done a job that’s acceptable to most of my neighbours.”
Incumbent Deputy Mayor Doug Kellum also claimed a decisive victory over rookie candidate Colin Burrowes by nearly 2,000 votes. Re-elected to another term in the Listowel Ward are councillors Neil Anstett and Matt Richardson, who will be joined by rookie councillor Sarah Blazek.
The three came out on top of a six-candidate heat in Listowel; also running were Grace Harper, Yasmin Vanos and Darrell Weber.
“I’m feeling overwhelmed by the positivity and support I have received, not just tonight, but all day today and throughout the campaign,” commented Blazek on Monday following the release of the unofficial results. “I plan to work hard to show the voters that their confidence in me was not misplaced.”
Also new to council will be Wallace Ward councillor Marc Noordam, who will occupy one of two Wallace seats alongside the re-elected Lee Anne Andriessen. Former North Perth councillor Paul Horn fell short of his bid for a Wallace seat by 56 votes.
All three Elma Ward councillors will be returning for another term, following the re-election of Matt Duncan, Dave Johnston and Allan Rothwell. Former councillor and 2018 mayoral candidate David Ludington fell short in Elma, as did newcomer Jamie Pynn.
Along with official results, final voter turnout percentages are yet to be tabulated by press time, but numbers appear to be up across North Perth’s three wards in 2022. Local voter turnout was marked at 31 per cent during the last municipal election in 2018.
The Province of Ontario mandates a municipal council turnover date of Nov. 15; North Perth’s first meeting of the incoming council will be Nov. 21.
2022 North Perth Municipal Election – Unofficial Results
Mayor
Todd Kasenberg – 2,298 votes (elected)
Julian George – 512
Deputy Mayor
Doug Kellum – 2,490 (elected)
Colin Burrowes – 527
Elma Ward Councillors
Matt Duncan – 551 (elected)
Dave Johnston – 531 (elected)
Allan Rothwell – 484 (elected)
David Ludington – 341
Jamie Pynn – 111
Listowel Ward
Councillors
Neil Anstett – 1,498 (elected)
Matt Richardson – 1,448 (elected)
Sarah Blazek – 1,003 (elected)
Grace Harper – 488
Yasmin Vanos – 413
Darrell Weber – 275
Wallace Ward Councillors
Lee Anne Andriessen – 278 (elected)
Marc Noordam – 245 (elected)
Paul Horn – 189
