Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Greater Napanee’s municipal election saw three newcomers elected to the horseshoe for the upcoming term to go with four returnees.
Long before Monday’s election it was known that current Ward 2 councillor Terry Richardson would be acclaimed in the role as mayor as he ran unopposed, replacing mayor Marg Isbester who did not seek re-election.
A small crowd gathered in the town hall chambers to watch results as they were posted to the screen about half an hour after polls closed at 8 p.m.
The following are the results posted by the Town of Greater Napanee, which remain unofficial until certified by the clerk at noon tomorrow.
Brian Calver was elected as deputy mayor with 2,402 votes, defeating former Ward 1 councillor John McCormack (1,478) and Eric DePoe.
“Running against John McCormack and Eric Depoe, neither one of them are strangers to the circle of politics,” Calver said upon learning the results in the town hall chambers. “I’m a newcomer as far as politics goes but I’ve got a lot of years of experience behind me in other areas. I think we’ll do well. I’m very happy with the results.”
Calver will assume the deputy role currently occupied by Max Kaiser, who did not seek re-election.
Mike Schenk will return as Ward 1 councillor, a position he held most recently from 2014-18 before opting not to run in the previous election. He gathered 610 votes. Tony Balasevicius (386) and Matt Potwarka (35) also ran.
Angela Hicks is among the new faces as she captured Ward 2 with 429 votes, ahead of Terry Cook (324) and Les Humphries (184).
Incumbent Dave Pinnell Jr. held Ward 3 with 388 votes, finishing ahead of Richard Pringle (302), Don Stokes (265) and John South (166).
Bob Norrie returns in Ward 4 with 391 votes, besting Josh Hayter (304) and Jeff Chestnut (137).
Bill Martin took Ward 5 with 285 votes, finishing ahead of Casey Wells (252) and previous Ward 5 councillor Ellen Johnson (167).
The mayor elect is eager to get to work with his new council.
“There’s as good mix of returning people and new,” said Richardson. “We knew that we’d get at least two new people. I’m happy that we have a group of returning folks and some new comers so it gives us an opportunity to get some fresh ideas and also continue with the work that we’ve already started.”
According to the town, 4,742 people cast a vote, which translates to 37.3 per cent of the 12,718 eligible voters within the town.