Brittany Merrifield. (Image: submitted)
While Grand Bay Westfield residents did not have to vote for their next mayor, there was a race for the town’s five council seats ahead of results released Tuesday.
Nine candidates put their name forward for the job, including two incumbent councillors.
With unofficial results released Tuesday, leading vote tallies for Grand Bay-Westfield council are: Erin Michelle Toole, who currently has the most votes (1182), followed by Stephanie Joy McIntosh Lawrence (988), Beverley Day (908), John Joseph Balemans (851) and Jim Balcomb (765).
While most New Brunswickers voted on May 10, those in the Edmundston-Madawaska region only voted on Tuesday.
Candidates will only be considered elected once the tabulation machines at the returning office in Edmundston and the satellite returning office in Grand Falls have been uploaded.
Brittany Merrifield. (Image: submitted)
While Grand Bay-Westfield residents did not have to vote for their next mayor, there was a race for the town’s five council seats ahead of results released Tuesday.
Nine candidates put their names forward for the job, including two incumbent councillors.
Unofficial results showed both incumbents Beverley Day and John Balemans were re-elected.
They will be joined by newcomers Erin Toole, Stephanie McIntosh Lawrence, and Jim Balcomb.
It was no contest for the new mayor, Brittany Merrifield, who was acclaimed to the role last month once election candidates finalized.
Grace Losier, who spent nearly three decades in municipal politics, decided not to run again for mayor.
Jim Balcomb is running for councillor of Grand Bay-Westfield. (Photo: Submitted)
Another possible councillor has stepped up for Grand Bay-Westfield.
Jim Balcomb says he offers 25 years of economic development experience in the private sector and in government and he wants to make affordable improvements to the quality of life,
Balcomb says there is a need for increased, affordable housing for new, young families and for Seniors.
He has worked on a variety of boards for nonprofits including Key Industries Ltd.; Community Business Development Corporation; and is a founding member of Credit Counselling Services of Atlantic Canada.
Balcomb has been involved in the organizing of multiple community projects including the Farmers Market that was held at the RVCC parking lot; the inaugural outdoors New Year’s Eve First Night and the New Year’s Eve Family Skate for several years.