The Village of Ashcroft will see two incumbent councillors return for another term along with Mayor Barbara Roden, who was acclaimed last month.
Preliminary results showed Jonah Anstett with 357 votes and Nadine Davenport with 333 votes. Polls closed at 8 p.m. this evening (Oct. 15).
Doreen Lambert, who previously served on council from 2013 to 2018, will return; she had 337 votes. Newcomer Jessica Clement grabbed the fourth council spot with 328 votes.
Five candidates were vying for four vacant council positions. Joris Ekering received 123 votes.
Ashcroft has an estimated 1,399 voters, but had a turnout of only 30.5 per cent of eligible voters, with 427 votes cast in the 2022 election. This is a significant drop from 2018, when out of an estimated 1,328 eligible voters, there was a 55.72 per cent turnout and 740 ballots cast.
“I want to thank all five of the people who put their names forward to run for council,” said Mayor Roden, adding, “It takes a lot of courage to step up and put your name on a ballot.
Roden said at the all-candidates’ forum held ahead of the general elections all of the elected councillors showed that they were fully aware of the challenges facing Ashcroft and had some good, thoughtful ideas about how to keep moving the town forward.
“I know we have another great council team for for the next four years, and that along with our wonderful staff we’ll continue to ensure that Ashcroft remains a progressive and proactive community for everyone,” Roden said.
Lambert, who is returning to the council after a short hiatus, said she is looking forward to being part of the new team. “I’m very grateful to be back on council and also for the folks who supported, encouraged and voted for me,” she said.
Reelected councillor, Jonah Anstett, thanked the citizens of Ashcroft for choosing him to represent them as a voice on council. “I look forward to working with the newly elected team and working for the community,” he said, adding, “I am always available either a phone call or email or even a conversation around town, I’ll always be there to listen and help were I can.”