MacDonald, Verbeke re-elected to lead Leamington

by Mark Ribble

Voters in Leamington returned the incumbents to the top two seats in Monday’s municipal election, along with four familiar council faces.

After a long — and sometimes intense — campaign, Hilda MacDonald is once again Leamington’s Mayor-elect.

She garnered 4,333 votes while top challenger Jimmy Simoni finished with 3,004. Cris Biron totalled 754 votes.

“I’m very pleased with the margin I won by,” said MacDonald after the results were posted. “It shows the majority of voters support the leadership that was in place the last four years.”

MacDonald said she’s happy that council can continue its work with little-to-no interruption.

“I’m so looking forward to what lies ahead,” she said. “I think we’re going to have a fantastic four years. Even with the council vote totals, it’s a message of a job well done.”

Leamington CAO Peter Neufeld congratulates Hilda MacDonald shortly after the election results were posted.

The race for deputy mayor was much closer, as was expected.

Incumbent Larry Verbeke won that race with 3,229 votes. Shelly Quick edged out John Tofflemire 2,330 to 2,305 for the runner-up spot.

Both Quick and Tofflemire were present at the Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Complex and immediately congratulated their opponent.

“Time to get back to work,” said Verbeke, who cited the north trunk sewer line as council’s biggest future project.

Margaret and Larry Verbeke

He also thanked his opponents.

“Through the whole thing, we’ve been able to shake hands and go our own way,” he said.

The only newcomer to the council chambers will be first-time candidate Anthony Abraham, who has promised to bring younger representation to the table. He is excited to get to work for his community.

“I wanted to take a moment and thank you all for electing me to our town council,” he said. “As a newly elected candidate I know I have much to learn, but I promise to hold this position with honesty and integrity.”

Incumbents Tim Wilkinson, Paul Tiessen, Bill Dunn and Heather Latam were all returned to their council seats by Leamington voters.

Long-time educator Nancy Armstrong won a close race for the English Public School Board trustee position, ousting incumbent Aimee Omstead by just 72 votes.

French Separate School Board trustee Doris Sauve was acclaimed and the other trustee positions were unavailable at press time.

Voter response was 45.73 per cent, which is up from the 2018 election (43.8).

MAYOR: Hilda MacDonald - 4,333; Jimmy Simoni - 3,004; Cris Biron - 754

Here are the vote totals for each candidate in Leamington:

DEPUTY MAYOR: Larry Verbeke - 3,229; Shelly J. Quick - 2,330; John Tofflemire - 2,305

COUNCIL: Tim Wilkinson - 4,253; Bill Dunn - 4,250; Paul Tiessen - 3,949; Anthony Abraham - 2,806; Heather Latam - 2,363; Corey Robertson - 2,210; Derek Friesen - 2,166; Isaac Schmitt - 2,120; Christine Lehn - 2,079; Tara Adams - 1,684; Dave Metcalfe - 1,637; Christine - 1,412; Kyle Sousa - 1,286; Mark Stevenson - 806; Oscar Ramirez - 792; Gerald Barros - 344