With the election results madness of Oct. 16 keeping everyone busy there was one small election on two fronts that needed some consideration.
For Ponoka County the only election was for Division 5 as the other division candidates were acclaimed. Incumbent Nancy Hartford was against challenger Jason Valstar and as the unofficial numbers were displayed Monday night, it was clear she was the winner.
Hartford ended up with a total of 259 votes for the division while Valstar received 66.
For her part, Hartford was pleased to be elected for another term, offering that there’s still a lot of work to be done that she wants to be part of. Along with the Highway 2 corridor plan, she also wants to ensure she speaks for the residents of Division 5.
“We’ve got lots of really big things happening.” said Hartford.
She’s also excited to be working with two new councils in the towns of Ponoka and Rimbey. Another focus for her this term will be to find ways to deal with the high property crime rate in rural central Alberta.
“It’s such a big concern right now and it doesn’t seem like anything can stop it,” said Hartford.
Her hope is to grow and enhance the rural crime watch associations in the area and help open the lines of communication between neighbours so they can look out for each other.
Of the total 326 votes for Division 5, there was one spoiled ballot.
Ponoka County council will see a continuation of its representation for the next four years, which likely pleases voters.
On the school board level, incumbent Trudy Bratland (607) won the Wolf Creek Public Schools Ward 3 over challenger Melinda McLauchlin (340).
Other winners for WCPS include Ward 1, Lucy Henri with 413 votes; Ward 4, incumbent Pamela Hansen with 460; Ward 5, Brent Byron Buchanan with 1,127 and Kelly Lowry with 1,399