DIDSBURY - The Town of Didsbury will have an entirely new town council for the next four years, according to unofficial results released Monday.
None of the seven incumbents were re-elected in the Oct. 16 municipal election.
Voted in as mayor-elect was Rhonda Hunter with 513 votes. Incumbent councillor Joyce McCoy finished second with 441 votes, while Norm Quantz picked up 413 votes. Incumbent mayor Rick Mousseau finished fourth with 200 votes and Keegon McPherson ended up with 80.
Dorothy Moore was top vote getter among councillor candidates with 1002. Joining Moore on council are: Mel Crothers with 750 votes, Erhard Poggemiller with 689, Bill Windsor with 650, Curtis Engel with 616 and John Baswick with 522.
Not elected were LaVar Adams with 444 votes, Kim Moore 464, Gail Nowlan 411, Sheila Schulz 404, Garth Hollinger 366, Deborah Patten 362, Dany Piepgrass 345, Mike Caughy 342, Wil Helkenberg 294, Robert Davidson 249 and Pat Rowden 186.
Hunter told the Gazette she was very excited when she found out she had been elected as mayor.
"That's what we've been working for two months," said Hunter. "I'm totally humbled by the people of Didsbury who made that choice."
Hunter said she was surprised that none of the incumbents were re-elected.
"It would've been nice to see a few but that's the way the votes went," she said. "That's democracy."
Hunter is looking forward to getting started. She is confident that despite having no experience as a councillor she will be fine.
"I worked for 28 years with the town and worked with many mayors and councils and CAOs," she said. "I've been to many council meetings. It won't be a big learning curve at all. I understand the process and the MGA (Municipal Government Act).
Hunter said she is excited to work with her council despite all the new faces.
"We all bring something different to the table," she said. "As I said in my campaign, my commitment is to work with council and we have to identify priorities. My campaign was to put people in Didsbury first. Between the voice of the people and the voice of all council, we want to help make this town grow. That's what we're after. I think it'll be great working with those six people."
The number of votes cast was 1651, which is 40 per cent of the eligible voters.
