News Optimist - Elections Archive

Voters shook up the council ranks in a major way in North Battleford's municipal election Wednesday.

With all polls reporting, Battleford council will be Albert Blais was not elected and neither was Amber Nelson. Nelson remained on the ballot despite dropping out of the election, as she had done so after the deadline.

After Battleford council members announced, one by one, they were not running for re-election it became clear the new council would have a different composition than the one that served from 2009 to 2012.

With 12 out of 19 polls reporting voters are showing strong support for former Saskatchewan Liberal leader Ryan Bater, who at that point had the most votes of any candidate with 692. Second among the frontrunners is Trent Houk with 604 votes.

North Battleford Council Elections4 of 19 polls reportingElected by acclamation: Mayor Ian HamiltonCouncil CandidatesRyan Bater -- 162 Don Buglas -- 132 Steven Cormons -- 60 Ron Crush -- 149 Ray Fox -- 119 Trent Houk -- 150 Roxanne Kennedy -- 44 Grac

With just two polls left to report in the frontrunners have their seats pretty much in the bag, but that coveted sixth seat on council is still up for grabs.

North Battleford Council ElectionsElected by acclamation: Mayor Ian HamiltonCouncil Candidates (9 of 19 polls reporting)Ryan Bater -- 489 Don Buglas -- 369 Steven Cormons -- 179 Ron Crush -- 371 Ray Fox -- 390 Trent Houk -- 446 Roxanne Kennedy -- 124

One hour after the polls closed this is how the North Battleford city council race is shaping up. Ryan Bater (992), Trent Houk (848), Ray Fox (774), Gregory Lightfoot (791), Ron Buglas (730) and Ron Crush (774) top the charts.

My main employment is at the Battlefords Tribal Council as director of justice. I am one of five members of the Public Complaints Commission of Saskatchewan.

Donna Lavin raised a few eyebrows at the last town council meeting for the current mayor and council before the Oct. 24 election.