WELLINGTON NORTH – Andrew Lennox will be getting a third term after winning the Wellington North mayoral race.
Lennox, first elected as mayor in 2014, defeated challenger Dan Yake who has been a councillor in the Mount Forest area for decades.
The unofficial results put the two very close, with Lennox winning with 1,646 votes to 1,475 for Yake. In his previous mayoral elections, Lennox won handily with 70 per cent of the vote in 2018 and 65 per cent in 2014.
“I’m honoured to be given the opportunity to serve again for another four years,” Lennox said in a phone call, thanking his family, support team and the people of Wellington North.
“Dan’s been a major contributor to council and we’re certainly going to miss him in the coming time.”
Yake did not immediately return a request for comment.
Lennox chalked up being elected again to the community being happy with the job he and council has done and electors want to see these results continue to be delivered.
The first thing Lennox is looking to accomplish this term will be getting together with council to set priorities as a collective.
“Certainly growth is going to feature heavily there and we’ll get our heads together and come up with the goals we’re all going to work towards,” Lennox said.
The five person council will see one new face compared to last term.
The council will comprise of:
- Andrew Lennox, Mayor
- Penny Renken, Ward 1
- Sherry Burke, Ward 2
- Lisa Hern, Ward 3
- Steve McCabe, Ward 4
Penny Renken will be representing Ward 1, previously held by Yake, after defeating challengers Shawn McLeod and Jeanean Mousseau. Renken won with 382 votes, McLeod followed with 289 and Mousseau with 165.
In Ward 2, Sherry Burke will remain as councillor after defeating Menno Klunder who declared he had withdrawn from the race but remained on the ballot because it was after the deadline to do so. Burke got 843 votes over Klunder’s 109.
Lisa Hern and Steve McCabe were both acclaimed to Ward 3 and Ward 4 respectively. Both are returning councillors.
Both county council positions were acclaimed in Wellington North as well.
Campbell Cork and Steve O'Neill are each getting a second term for the county’s Ward 3 and 4 seat.
The Upper Grand District School Board trustee results have yet to come in as of 9 p.m. This trustee represents Wellington North, Mapleton and Minto for the board.
Andrew Finoro has been acclaimed as trustee for the Wellington Catholic District School Board.
