Higgins an easy winner, heartbreak for Hunter in North Frontenac

Oct 28, 2014

Supporters congratulated North Frontenac's new mayor-elect, Ron Higgins, at the Clar-Mill Hall in Plevna on election night, where voters and candidates had gathered. At approximately 8:30 p.m., North Frontenac CAO Cheryl Robson arrived at the hall and posted the results as voters and candidates crowded around to see them.

A visibly pleased Higgins had won more than double the votes of his rival Claudio Valentini (1359 to 630) and explained the numbers this way. “I think the outcome was the result of how I presented myself at the candidates’ meeting and also a result of the votes I received as the recognized chair of the North Frontenac Lake Association,” he said. “I think that internet and phone voting got me a lot of support from cottagers and other seasonal residents in the township.”

Higgins said that the large spread in the numbers did not surprise him. “They are pretty much what I expected when I was out campaigning and represent what I was hearing from the voters.”

Higgins planned to head home and crack open a bottle of champagne with is wife Wendy.

As far as getting down to business, he said that he looks forward to meeting with the new council and will be reviewing the plan that he has already outlined on his website, one that he hopes to implement right away.

“I want to look at and strengthen the strategic plan, and make sure that our objectives are aligned with the administration’s. I also plan to put in place performance indicators and will also be focusing on communicating with the community a lot more than what has been the norm in the past.”

Claudio Valentini took his loss in stride and also put a positive spin on the outcomes for the candidates for council.

“I feel glad it's over knowing that I gave it my best shot. And I am certainly glad to see that Denis Bedard and Vernon (Mickey) Hermer got in because we had been working together as a group and we have the same shared ideas and a shared view of the new direction that council should take.”

Valentini said he plans to continue working on three different occupations that he has been recently neglecting, namely running his airport, operating his own software business and writing music.

The results for councilors were equally dramatic. In Ward 2, Betty Hunter was emotional after receiving 372 votes, and losing her position as councilor by just five votes to second-place finisher Vernon Hermer, who received 377. Gerry Martin garnered 549 votes.

In Ward 1 Fred Perry came out on top with 537 votes, with Wayne Good taking the second place position with 403 and Lonnie Watkins losing out with just 300 votes.

In Ward 3 John Inglis was re-elected with 419 votes and will be joined on council by newcomer Denis Bedard, who won 312 votes. Fred Fowler lost in a close race with a total of 289 votes.

The new Council will feature a first time Mayor and a mix of 4 experience councillors, and 2 first time politicians.