Norman Wells (Oct 27/03) - Every election has a few surprises, and likely few were more surprised than councillor-elect Lise Dolen.

Her 171 votes topped last week's Norman Wells municipal election for the five available council seats.

"I thought I might sneak in there but I figured I'd be near the bottom," joked the resident of 13 years, adding that her involvement with her sons' sporting activities probably helped.

"Everybody knows my four teenage boys."

The Oct. 20 vote returned Mark Collier, Elizabeth Danielson, and Craig Scott to council.

Timothy Melnyk lost his seat and Tonya Carroll joined Dolen as a newcomer.

Ann Marie Tout, defeated by Kevin Diebold in the 2000 mayoral race, routed her only challenger for the top job, Sarranda "Sam" Kivi, 232 votes to 38.

Carroll, kitchen manager at the Yamouri Inn, said she put her name in the hat because she wanted "to learn more about the community."

A plebiscite asking whether voters supported the rationing system on liquor sales was narrowly defeated 142 votes to 131.

Carroll said she intends to vote against easing liquor restrictions when the question comes to council for a vote. "If you can really drink 40 ounces of liquor and a case of liquor in a day, holy cow," said Carroll, noting that her time spent as an RCMP auxiliary officer helped sway her opinion against it.

Sadie Wiley, owner of the Norman Wells liquor agency, doubts that easing restrictions will make a big difference. Current limits allow for daily sales of two bottles of wine and 12 beer, or two cases of beer and a bottle of wine, or one bottle of liquor and a case of beer.