Ashe Wins

Congratulations to current Whitevale Golf Club President Kevin Ashe for winning his seat as City Councillor for Pickering Ward 1.

Below is an article from the Durham Region News.

PICKERING -- The results are in and Pickering council will look a little different when the group starts its new term in December.

After months of buildup, debates, and campaigning, Pickering residents have chosen who they believe will best represent them at Pickering City and Durham Regional council.

Dave Ryan has reclaimed his seat for the third straight term with 10,361 votes. Maurice Brenner ran a close second with 8,661 ballots cast in his favour.

"It feels great," Mayor Ryan said.

"I thank the people of Pickering because what they did was acknowledge that Pickering can go forward with a positive message."

Voter turnout was up in the 2010 municipal election, with 32.2 per cent of eligible voters heading to the polls. In the end, 20,560 of the 63,938 eligible voters cast their ballots. That's compared to 28 per cent in 2006 when of 65,406 eligible voters, 18,311 voted in that election.

In the 2003 municipal election, there were 63,015 registered voters and 18,051 cast their votes, meaning 28.65 per cent came out to vote.

Rick Johnson lost his Ward 3 Regional seat to his only challenger, Peter Rodrigues. He attended the Pickering Civic Centre as the results came in and took his loss gracefully.

"It's been a really great ride," he said. "I'm very proud of my accomplishments."

He wished Ward 3 constituents and Mr. Rodrigues all the best. He said he's looking forward to living the retired life, and spending more time with his wife and family.

One of the more interesting races of the night was for the seat of Ward 1 City councillor. Kevin Ashe, a former councillor, who lost his seat to Jennifer O'Connell in the 2006 election, was voted in again.

"It's great to be back," he said.

He congratulated his opponents.

"It was an open seat with no incumbent, so there was a good exchange of ideas, and five quality candidates," he said.

Coun. O'Connell beat out incumbent councillor Bonnie Littley for the Ward 1 Regional council seat with 4,065 votes. Her challenger received 3,313 votes.

"It feels amazing but also overwhelming right now," Coun. O'Connell said. "I'm still in shock."

Councillor Doug Dickerson reclaimed his Ward 2 City Council position, and Councillor David Pickles reclaimed his Ward 3 City seat. Ward 2 Regional Councillor Bill McLean went unchallenged, and was acclaimed.

Chris Braney and Paul Crawford were voted in to represent Pickering residents at the Durham District Public School Board.

"I'm very happy to continue the work that we've done in the past four years and I'm looking forward to another term," Mr. Braney said.

Jim McCafferty, chairman of the Durham District Catholic School Board, has also been re-elected, beating out Gino Sgovio. Sylvie A. Landry is the trustee for the French public school board, and Olga Lambert is the trustee for the French catholic school board.