A first-time politician will take the seat at the council table left vacant by Joe Anglin’s election to the Alberta Legislature.
Scott Ellis won the July 9 byelection capturing 255 votes. Former councillor Wayne Clark received 167 votes. There was one spoiled ballot.
Ellis, 34, is humbled to receive the show of support from Rimbey voters, but not totally surprised, as he believes many people in the community want to look ahead and let past grievances go.
“The mood was that way. People want council to move ahead and get the job done. “And I am very much looking forward to doing that,” he said.
Ellis said road repair and maintaining and improving the infrastructure is important, but he believes making every effort to ensure council remains a cohesive group running the affairs of the town in the most competent and sustainable way possible even more important.
“I am excited to be part of council and I’m sure it will be an interesting and challenging experience,” he said.
Ellis, who has lived in Rimbey for six years, is employed by Custom Eavestroughing and has plans to commute to Edmonton next year to attend The King’s University College for his second year of studies in politics, history and economics.
He is employed by Custom Eavestroughing and sits on the municipal development committee and is a mentor for The Calvinists Corp, a boy’s club in Rimbey.
The byelection results means Clark will have to put away his hopes of re-joining council, at least for the time being.
He is sure Ellis will do an excellent job.
“I phoned Scott and congratulated him immediately following the counting of the ballots on Monday evening. I’d urge him to listen carefully to the concerns of the whole community.”
Clark said his primary reason for running in the byelection was because there was only one other person running.
“When I was acclaimed in 2007, I was uncomfortable with that. It’s not something that should be given away. I entered the byelection because I have always felt that the position of an elected official should be decided by the voters. Having said that, it didn’t work out the way I would have liked it to, but the voters have made a democratic decision and I wish Scott all the best in his time in office.”
Mayor Sheldon Ibbotson was pleased to see such a strong turnout for the byelection even though it was held in July.
“We are looking forward to working with Scott. We also have a lot of respect for Wayne and really do wish him well.”