Yellowknife (Oct 27/03) - Diana Ehman has been elected the new mayor of Hay River.

"I feel really good about it," she Ehman, a one-term councillor who won over Councillor Peter Mahar by a 755 to 469 vote.

Surrounded by supporters at the Ptarmigan Inn, Ehman said her first thought upon being elected was the work ahead.

"I'm going to read Robert's Rules of Order and memorize it," she quipped.

Ehman said she will concentrate on a new budget.

Mahar didn't expect the results. "I thought it was going to be a close race."

Mahar said he is not sure if he will attempt a return to municipal politics in the future. "I'll just take it as it goes."

Eight councillors were also elected.

The new council, which will be sworn in Nov. 3, will consist of incumbents Robert Bouchard (1,010 votes), Dean McMeekin (990 votes), Vern Tordoff (987 votes), Glen Smart (970 votes) and Tom Hamilton (939 votes).

Two new candidates got the most votes, Vince McKay with 1,064 and Ron Cook with 1,057.

Voter turnout was 56 per cent.

The only person left outside after the votes were counted was anti-council activist Harvey Werner, who made headlines throughout the campaign and finished last with 298 votes.

"I can say I'm pretty happy with 298 votes under the circumstances," said Werner who got 230 votes in an earlier run for a seat on council.

Werner said it took longer to get on the ballot because of the eligibility issues and complained that he suffered from "bad press" throughout the campaign.