Many newcomers were voted to village councils in the Stettler area in municipal elections Oct. 18 with the new councils of three members expected to elect their mayors in the coming days.
• Village of Big Valley
Big Valley voters ousted two incumbent councilors including the council-elected mayor to a council of three.
Voters elected newcomers Art Tizzard with 102 votes and Rick Kargaard (100) and incumbent Gail Knudson (70).
Crystal Bardwell narrowly fell short with 68 votes, followed by Lois Miller (63), Mayor Walter Stefanik (52), incumbent Wayne Garrison (33) and Keith Campbell (7).
• Village of Botha
A draw from a hat was required in the Village of Botha to decide the third and final seat.
Former village chief administrative officer Josie Hunter finished first with 48 votes, while newcomer Jim Renschler garnered 44 votes.
Incumbent councilor Brett Danskin was declared the winner of the third seat, after a recount when he and newcomer Jamie Muhlbach tied with 29.
“We had to draw the name out of a hat,” said returning officer Karen Ashton.
“This is apparently not the first time this has happened in Botha.”
With 62 voters casting ballots, turn-out was 52 per cent, said Ashton.
Council will elect a mayor at its organizational meeting on Oct. 20.
• Village of Donalda
Three newcomers were elected to council in the Village of Donalda.
Al Ebel topped the polls with 86 votes, followed by Chad Whiteside (77) and Bruce Gartside (76) while incumbent Paul McKay was unseated with 62 votes.
With 109 votes cast, voter turnout was 61.6 per cent, reported returning officer Peter Simons.
• Village of Halkirk
Halkirk councilor Dale Kent topped the polls with 58 votes and is joined by incumbent Dennis Cordel (38) and newcomer Sherry Jamieson with 37 votes.
Out of contention were challengers Matthew Koenraadt (25) and Leona Chadwick (20), Jacquie Dietrich (11) and Peter Aitchison (8).
With 69 voters casting ballots, turnout was 69 per cent.
• Village of Gadsby
Results were not available for the Village of Gadsby by presstime.
Results will be official Friday at 12 noon.