Alicia Wallace
Rossland News
At the time of going to print, preliminary election results had been announced and Rosslanders made it clear that this term they wanted new leaders for their city. Kathy Moore is the new mayor with votes heavily in her favour. Kathy received 1,240 votes to Jill Spearn’s 363 votes.
The election results show Rosslander’s want change. Candidates, who have previously not sat on Council, received the majority of the votes for the councillor seats. As of Sunday morning, five of the six seats on Council were confirmed. The all male councillors will be Aaron Cosbey (1,294 votes), Marten Kruysse (1,276 votes), Andrew Zwicker (1,275 votes), Andy Morel (1,233 votes) and Lloyd McLellan (948 votes). Existing mayor, Greg Granstrom with 444 votes, will not have a place on the new Council.
The initial count resulted with both John Greene and incumbent Tim Thatcher receiving 788 votes, making it a tie for the final seat. An official recount was held Monday, November 17 in an effort to resolve the tie. The recount resulted in a difference of two votes in favour of Greene. Either Greene or Thatcher could request a judicial recount. Thatcher indicated he will not be requesting one. The declaration of Official Election Results were made on Nov 19 at 4 p.m..
In the event of a judicial recount being requested, had it produced a tie vote between Greene and Thatcher, a ‘lot’ would have been conducted. The City of Rossland bylaw #2572 states, “in the event of a tie vote after a judicial recount, the tie vote will be resolved by conducting a lot in accordance with Section 141 of the Local Government Act.” A lot is conducted by writing both candidates names on a piece of paper and drawing out a ‘winner.’ The person’s name on the piece of paper will essentially receive an additional ‘vote’.
From the estimated 2,587 eligible voters 1,614 took to the polls resulting in an approximate 62 per cent voter participation.
A gratified Kathy Moore spoke of her delight with this year’s voter participation.
“I went by Rossland Summit School twice today (Saturday) and saw many cars — we have had a high turn-out.”
Kathy had suggested to Council at an October meeting to challenge other municipalities to raise voter turnout by having a friendly competition. All other councillors present at the meeting decided against the idea.
Many of Rossland’s businesses had posted signs in their windows reminding fellow citizens to take to the polls.
Saturday saw a colourful display of signs along Columbia Avenue in both English and French, calling on people to do their part and have a say.
“The political elves were at work, not in support of any one candidate, but to raise voter turn-out,” said the new Mayor.
Ms. Moore is the second female mayor for the City of Rossland but gender does not matter to Kathy ,who explained that while it is wonderful, gender does not figure into the equation of good leaders.
The first steps will to be to bring all the new councillors up to speed on Council protocol. “We have a lot of new councillors and it will be baby steps to begin with — it is important that everyone feels listened to and for Council to work as a team to be productive,” Rossland’s new leader said.