Editorial

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It would appear from the numbers that Saugeen Shores had one of the highest voter turnouts when it came to the recent election.

Perhaps, some of the new candidates or candidates for a new position, may have been part of the reason.  It takes a lot of fortitude to put yourself in the public eye by standing up to make your voice heard.

The position of running for municipal public office should take a lot of commitment, dedication and wanting the best for the community in which you live and work.

While Victoria Serda may not have have won when it comes to numbers, she was a winner anyway for standing up for her ideals and beliefs. She campaigned hard and went door to door to actually talk with the people of her community and to find out their concerns.  She is passionate in her causes and is trying to make her a community a better place in which to live.

Relative newcomer to the political stage, Luke Charbonneau took the bold step of running for the second highest position in a municipality, that of Deputy Mayor.

While many may have thought his age was against him, Charbonneau proved that sometimes you have take a leap of faith in life and let the chips fall. Contrary to his age going against him, it appears that voters were ready to let a new generation have a chance to prove itself and bring new, fresh ideas to the table.

Sunnie Cushnie also stood up, literally and figuratively, to let his name come forward on the roster.  A young family man and business owner, he came in with just over 200 votes less than his nearest opponent, incumbent Thead Seaman, indicating that even in a primarily retirement community, there are those who are ready for change.

The number of those who cast their votes also increased this time round to one of the highest turn-outs since amalgamation.  The split was almost even between the three wards but Southampton came in at the highest.

Votes  and Percentage of votes  

MAYOR

Victoria SERDA	1273	21.00%
Mike SMITH*	4790	79.00
Total votes	6063

DEPUTY MAYOR

    

Luke CHARBONNEAU  *	3541	58.63%
Doug FREIBURGER	2499	41.37%
Total votes 6040	6040

SOUTHAMPTON COUNCILLOR

Sunny CUSHNIE	944	27.08%
Diane HUBER*	1337	38.35%
Thead SEAMAN*	1205	34.57%
Total votes	3486

SAUGEEN COUNCILLOR

Gary R. BROWN*	723	38.34%
Cindy CARTWRIGHT	550	29.16%
Taun FROSST*	613	32.50%
Total Votes	1886

 VOTER TURNOUT

Ward	Eligible	Voted	%
Saugeen	2267	1251	55.18%
Port Elgin	5505	2809	51.03%
Southampton	3711	2068	55.73%
Totals	11483	6,128	53.37%

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For those who didn't vote ... don't complain when things don't go as you think they should.  In a democracy, if you don't exercise your 'rights', you may find that one day you don't have any!

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Tuesday, October 26, 2010