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Innisfail mayor-elect Jean Barclay (left) and Penhold mayor-elect Mike Yargeau. (Supplied)
yargeau, hanson, barclay

RESULTS: Penhold, Sylvan Lake and Innisfail

Oct 19, 2021 | 12:14 AM

*All election results are unofficial

PENHOLD

It’s another four years in the big seat for Penhold Mayor Mike Yargeau, who ran uncontested in this year’s municipal election.

“I like to think of being acclaimed as a testament to the job I’ve done over the last four years. I work really hard to be a good mayor for the community, and I hope Penhold residents see that,” says the husband and father of four.

“As for the election in general, it’s a great time to get a refresh. Even if you have a lot of the same councillors, everyone comes in with a new mandate and new energy. It can be an exciting time for the community.”

Looking back, Yargeau notes how the pandemic has significantly impacted the last couple years, but mentions how the Town still managed to bring in commercial development, expand the tax base, and finalize an annexation agreement.

“We will continue the work we’ve been doing to make our town more attractive to new residents. As well, we will continue to build our commercial base. We have to remember what young families want, which is recreation, indoors and outdoors, and we need a plan to address that,” he says.

“We also need to attract a larger commercial base. We’re still sitting between 85 and 90 per cent of a residential tax base, and we need to bring that down toward 70 per cent. There’s now land available, there’s demand for some development, and I think we can do better.”

Councillors elected

Shaun Kranenborg 515
Shawn Hamm 477
Teresa Cunningham 470
Mike Walsh 461 Ken Denson 430
Tyrone Muller 421

SYLVAN LAKE

In Sylvan, two-term councillor Megan Hanson has won the mayor’s seat over fellow candidate Ted Iverson.

Hanson unofficially received 2,876 votes to Iverson’s 434.

“It’s pretty awesome. I love Sylvan Lake and that’s why I ran. It’s quite an honour,” says Hanson.

“The first step is facing the divisiveness. We need to reconnect with our neighbours, and I look forward to playing a big part in that. We need to realize we all just want the best.”

Common ground, as Hanson calls it, is the key to that puzzle.

“My top three priorities are reconnecting community, economic development that benefits residents – because the better businesses do, the better residents do — and we have room for improvement on advocacy and issues that are outside the municipal scope.”

All of council should be trained on how to speak up on issues that matter to the town, she says.

“Our biggest budget item we’ll be facing is with RCMP cost, so we need to advocate there,” Hanson says.

“I think we’ve been really lucky. We had candidates that put their names forward for mayor or council, and anyone who does that wants to bring their skills to do better things for the community.”

Originally from Castlegar, BC, Hanson is married to husband Ryan, with whom she has five children.

Councillors elected

Kjeryn Dakin (1,246), Kendall Kloss (1,145), Graham Parsons (1,139), Jas Payne (1,098), Teresa Rilling (1,065), and Tim Mearns (1,079).

INNISFAIL

In Innisfail, Jean Barclay will become mayor, winning with 2,025 votes to Glen Carritt’s 626.

Both candidates are coming off terms as councillor, though Carritt resigned his seat in 2020 amid controversy related to the COVID pandemic.

Barclay, asked about defeating Carritt, points to her campaign slogan of ‘Better Together,’ adding that the town certainly has some reputational damage it needs to face.

“Like many communities, there are a lot of challenges, including strong division. That needs to be not just council’s priority, but everybody’s,” said Barclay.

“Council will get together next week and we’ll get to work on a strategic plan which includes the priorities of economic development, housing and safety, among other things.”

Barclay added she’d like to focus on priority-based budgeting and hone in on how to find additional revenue, given that municipalities will likely see a decline in funds coming from the province over the next few years.

“I have a great passion for the community, I grew up here, and have a family history here of over 100 years,” she says. “I’m here to serve the community, and I’m looking forward to making things a little better than they have been.”

Councillors elected

Jason Heistad (1,520) – elected
Janice Wing (1,369) – elected
Gavin Bates (1,325) – elected
Don Harrison (1,228) – elected
Dale Dunham (1,183) – elected
Cindy Messaros (923) – elected

For full Innisfail results, click here.

In the Chinook’s Edge School Division, trustees were acclaimed in seven out of nine wards.

Ward 1 Sylvan Lake – Jackie Swainson

Ward 2 Penhold – Sherry Cooper (acclaimed)

Ward 3 Delburne/Elnora – De Anne Hutchison (acclaimed)

Ward 4 Innisfail – Holly Bilton (acclaimed)

Ward 5 Bowden/Spruce View – Linda Wagers

Ward 6 Sundre – Terrence Leslie (acclaimed)

Ward 7 Olds/Reed Ranch – Katherine Kemmere (acclaimed)

Ward 8 Didsbury – Gordon Kerr (acclaimed)

Ward 9 Carstairs/Cremona – Melissa Copley (acclaimed)

More municipal election coverage is at rdnewsnow.com/municipal-election-2021/.