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Election upsets sweep county

Longtime councilor and County of Stettler reeve Earl Marshall and two running incumbents were unseated in municipal elections Oct. 18.

Auto recycler James Nibourg unseated the reeve 143-66 in Erskine – South Warden (ward 5) while Danny Riggins recorded 30 votes.

“I don’t think Earl was doing a bad job – people were looking for change and I can offer change,” said Nibourg.

“We have several new faces and some seasoned councilors, and as council we need to listen to the people and bring the concerns to the council table.”

Serving as deputy reeve, Les Stulberg was also defeated 119-118 by Lawrence Wilkie in Byemoor-Endiang (ward 1) as confirmed by a recount Tuesday morning.

Down in Big Valley (ward 2), challenger Terry Schiffner edged incumbent councilor Dave Grover 86-82.

Another new voice on council will be Greggory Jackson, who decisively defeated Kevin Baird 146-60 in Botha-Gadsby (ward 3) to succeed Vic Carey, who did not seek re-election.

Three familiar faces return to council.

Blake Chapman retained his seat for Stettler (ward 4) with 112 votes, well ahead of Chad Wilson (78) and Walt Saar (53).

Back on the west side, Joe Gendre hung on to his seat in Erskine – Buffalo Lake (ward 6) as he edged out tough challenger Guy Neitz 134-129.

Councillor Wayne Nixon of the Donalda – Red Willow ward (7) retains his seat by acclamation.

Voter turnout in the county election was 39 percent, up slightly as compared to the previous election.

Results will be official Friday at 12 noon.