Jasper Town Council will welcome two new faces this month, with Dwain Wacko and Gilbert Wall taking the two empty council seats. The remaining seats go to the re-elected incumbents, Rico Damota, Mike Day, Brenda Zinck and Brian Skehill.

It was a quiet start to the vote count on Monday evening, with a few last minute voters leaving the building as the counters locked themselves into the multi-purpose hall to begin the official process.

With no one allowed in or out of the voting room, by 9 p.m. candidates, their families and supporters settled in the activity centre’s lobby to wait for results.

From the first posting of numbers, and on to the end of the counting process, it was a wide berth for incumbent Richard Ireland, who would go on to take the mayor’s title by a landslide victory of 1,100 votes to the 133 votes for candidate Sebastian Byrd. Incumbents and candidates watched the numbers come up with anticipation, and it soon became clear that the incumbent councillors would remain in their seats for another term.

Ireland said he was happy with the outcome, following the announcement of the unofficial new council.

“I’m really pleased with the result,” Ireland said. 

He went on to congratulate the two new members of council following the unofficial confirmation of their election, and commend the group that put their names forward. 

“I think out of that group we would have had a great group no matter how it turned out,” he said. 

Ireland said the two new members have already proven themselves to be dedicated and willing to put in the time and effort needed. 

“I think new blood is always appreciated,” he said. 

The closest race was between incumbent Brian Skehill, who would finish with 836 votes, and Dwain Wacko, who finished with 810.

After the count was finished, happy councillors hugged their families and thanked their supporters.

“I am very excited to have been re-elected,” said Rico Damota. “This is where my heart is.”

Brenda Zinck said she was also very excited to have been re-elected.

“And I am really grateful,” she said. “The community spoke and it looks like generally they have confidence in the incumbents, as they were all re-elected. That was a positive message.”

Newly elected Councillor Dwain Wacko said he is looking forward to the challenge.

“It will be a lot of work, but I am not scared of work,” said Wacko. “I’m quite happy with the level of support I received.”

After Municipal Manager George Krefting confirmed the unofficial winners, Wacko was excited to get to work. He immediately began discussing plans to attend council, and projects he could get working on right away, ahead of the Oct. 26 swearing in ceremony. 

Brain Skehill said to be re-elected was fantastic.

“It was also really nice to get the high number of votes I received. I have to thank my campaign manager and advisor,” said Skehill. “Without her, I would never get it done, and her name is Mary Graham.”

Regarding his re-election, Mike Day said, “I was taught to say very little when you lose and even less when you win.” 

New Councillor Gilbert Wall was not in attendance.

Jasper Municipal Council will be holding their public swearing-in ceremony for mayor and council on Oct. 26 at the Lobstick Lodge at 7 p.m. MLA Robin Campbell will be appearing to officiate the ceremony and community members are invited to come and watch. 

After that, council will proceed to hold its organizational meeting to get organized, decide when it will have its meetings for the coming year, and will decide on the committee structure as well.