New mayors for hamlets
Fort Liard, Fort Providence go to polls to vote in mayors, councillors, DEA
April Hudson
Northern News Services
Thursday, December 24, 2015
DEH CHO
The hamlets of Fort Providence and Fort Liard voted in new mayors and councillors on Dec. 14, as well as members of the local district education authorities.
Fort Liard's new mayor, Steven Steeves, says he is looking forward to leading the hamlet. - photo courtesy of Steven Steeves
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In Fort Providence, mayoral contender Samual Gargan came out on top against opponent Rudolph Landry.
The hamlet also elected four new councillors: Victor Constant, Shirley Gargan, Bertha Landry and Wayne Sanderson.
Vote counts were not available.
In Fort Liard, a four-way mayoral race between Steven Steeves, Julie Capot-Blanc, Mike Gonet and incumbent Morris McLeod saw a leadership upset as McLeod was voted out and Steeves was voted in.
Steeves won the mayoral race with 61 votes.
Fort Liard would've had a five-way race for mayor but candidate John Chaulk withdrew his name due to a mix-up in paperwork.
Chaulk extended his congratulations to those who got elected, encouraging them to keep in mind their responsibility to serve community members.
He said he would like to see councillors work to fill the vacant space for senior administrative officer, as well as bolster Fort Liard's recreation opportunities.
"I received much support in my talks with people about recreation for both adults and children. Not enough is done, by far, in my opinion, to give the people something to do that builds self esteem and pride in both oneself and in the community," he said. "The new council can change that."
Mayor-elect Steven Steeves said he is looking forward to leading the community and tackling some of the issues facing Fort Liard.
Although he could not speak to specifics before press time, Steeves said he hopes to build a strong team with the elected councillors.
He also wants to encourage community-led solutions to issues residents bring forward.
"I'll be very happy to be sworn in, and I'm hoping I'll be a good leader. I'd like to move forward (as a community) and make people's lives a lot easier," he said.
Six councillors were elected in Fort Liard.
Eva Hope took the lead with 120 votes, followed by Herbie Berreault with 107 votes.
Melanie Timbre was voted in with 98 votes, Ernest McLeod with 87, Mike Gonet with 82 and Irene McLeod with 81.
Councillors and mayors will be sworn in Jan. 4, according to an election timeline from the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs.
Fort Liard's district education authority elected six members. Sylvia Bertrand received 133 votes, Bernard Bonnetrouge received 101, Herbie Berreault got 83, Janna Deneron got 97, Marilyn Marcellais got 88 and Irene McLeod received 82 votes.
In Fort Providence, the district education authority saw Peter Canadian, Wayne Vandell, Shirley Gargan, Pearl Leishman and Bertha Landry elected.
Fort Providence mayor-elect Sam Gargan could not be reached for comment before press time.
