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Landslide win makes John Graham Iqaluit's mayor Meanwhile, ratepayers approve $40 million aquatic centre in referendumCasey Lessard Northern News Services Published Monday, Oct 15, 2012
"I did feel I was going into this race as a bit of an underdog," Graham said, noting he was unable to start campaigning until Oct. 1 due to his contract at the airport, where he was the manager. "I honestly did not expect such a convincing result. I don't know when the last time in this community there was such a result. It's absolutely overwhelming." Former councillor Allen Hayward, in his second attempt at the mayor's office, placed second with 204 votes, and disabilities rights activist Noah Ooloonie Papatsie was third with 184. Eight people, including the five councillors who sought re-election Mary Ekho Wilman, Romeyn Stevenson, Joanasie Akumalik, Jimmy Kilabuk and Simon Nattaq will join Graham at the council table. New faces Kenny Bell, Terry Dobbin and Mark Morrissey also earned seats. Wilman earned the most votes with 1,070. Lewis Falkiner Mackay and Ranbir Hundal were unsuccessful in their election bids. Meanwhile, city ratepayers voted to approve a $40 million aquatic centre, which will include a six-lane 25-metre pool, a leisure pool with improved access for kids and those with disabilities, fitness centre, elders centre, cafe, retail space, and more. The centre was approved by a much tighter margin, with 228 votes in favour or 57 per cent compared to 172 no votes and two spoiled ballots. "This is great news," said recreation director Amy Elgersma. "This means a lot to me because this is a project that we really worked hard on with the community, and it's important to ensure we have recreation facilities for the future that meet the needs of the community. The community will really benefit from it." The goal is to have the centre, which will be located between the fire hall and the Nunavut Court of Justice, open by the spring of 2016, she said. The yes vote won the new mayor's support, with one caveat. "I think that's great, but I won't be spending $40 million on a swimming pool," Graham said. Also on the ballot, Iqaluit District Education Authority chair Andrew Tagak and member Alden Williams return to the school board, but vice-chair Alan Weeks and member Joanne Ashley will not. Gwen Healey had the most votes, and Lori Idlout and John Maurice also had enough for a seat. All ballots have been counted, but candidates have until 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18 to request an administrative recount, chief returning officer Kirt Ejesiak said. The odds of the results changing are low as this year marked the first time electronic ballot counting was utilized. Earlier in the day, elections officer Kirt Ejesiak suggested the results could be known within an hour, but they were announced after two-and-a-half hours of counting. That's still much faster than usual, he said. "It went much smoother than the past years," he said, crediting his staff and their procedures. But the human element was the reason the electronic counting took longer than expected, as advanced poll ballots had to be manually entered after the polls closed. "Instead of leaving the poll at 11:30, we're out of here at 9:30," Ejesiak said, crediting the electronic system and enhanced voter information practices. This election also saw Elections Nunavut collaborate to provide and update the voters list, which Elections Nunavut will also use for the next territorial election. Of 3,543 eligible voters, 37.8 per cent turned out to mark a ballot, Ejesiak said. The unofficial results are as follows: Mayor
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