After the tabulation of results from the Oct 21 civic election, Bentley town council will see some changes.
There were 374 registered voters out of an estimated 754 eligible voters for almost a 50 per cent voter turnout - a very good representation in the eyes of both Returning Officer Cindy Roettger and town Chief Administrative Officer Elizabeth Smart, and much higher than most other places. Roettger did say that not all voters voted for all four of the council spots.
In the 2010 election the voter turnout was estimated to be about 38 per cent.
Unofficial results reported were: in the race for mayor- Lynda Haarstad- Petten 217 votes, Joan Dickau 157. Four councilors were declared elected: incumbent Butch Howard had 242 votes, Robin Lemay tied with 242, Pam Davey had a close 231, and incumbent Cliff Knutson gathered 172. Newcomers to the scene: Ray Williams garnered 130 votes and Richard Diamond 119.
Mayor elect Lynda Haarstad-Petten appreciated the support she received.
“Thank you to everyone that supported me in my bid for the mayor’s position. For our community, the voter turnout was up which shows us as a council, you truly do care about your community,” she stated. “I hope that I can represent you as well as my forerunner Joan Dickau has – she has left me huge shoes to fill.
Congratulations to the elected Council. I believe we will make a great team and can lead our wonderful community into the future. Thank you once again – I am truly looking forward to this next journey in my political career.”
Another resident from Bentley elected to a new position is Pamela Hansen who ran for Ward 4 Bentley/Eckville area school trustee on the Wolf Creek Public School Board. Hansen, with 381votes, beat out incumbent Karin Engen from Eckville who had 259 votes. Peter Sutherland received 81. Eligible voters were from the town of Bentley and Ward 4 Lacombe County residents.
“I am very excited to have been elected as school trustee and look forward to serving on the board,” states Hansen. “Our school and our children’s education are so important to our communities and to our future. My first plan of business is to get informed by the other trustees on what is going on in the district so I can make informed choices when voting or discussing issues.”
The elected officials welcome feedback and input from the community and invite people to contact them.
All numbers reported are unofficial.