Hawkes back at council table, Webber edges Walton in tight Ward 3 race
Hartland voters kept most of their council in place Monday night, but the new term will still bring two changed seats, including one former councillor and one Ward 3 challenger who defeated an incumbent by a mere four per cent.
Mayor Tracey DeMerchant returned by acclamation alongside Jason Smith in Ward 1, which includes Somerville, Wakefield, Simonds, and Peel.
The at-large race returned incumbent councillor Lee Patterson and Deputy Mayor Stewart Fairgrieve, while adding Tanya Hawkes, a former Hartland councillor and former town recreation director. Patterson led the poll with 515 votes, followed closely by Fairgrieve with 512. Hawkes won the third seat with 428 votes, ahead of Hartland Farmers’ Market Owner Emily Nigro with 384.
“I’m really excited”
Hawkes previously served on the town council and worked for 11 years as recreation director. After Monday’s vote, she said she was grateful for the support.
“It feels great. I’m thankful for the votes,” said Hawkes. “My priority is to represent the community to the best of my ability.”
She said the waterfront work stands out because of her previous role with the town.
“I am really excited about the waterfront improvements as I had worked on this as the recreation director,” Hawkes said.
“The community that shaped me”
In Ward 2, incumbent George Boone held his seat with 215 votes over Greg Crouse’s 98.
In a pre-election Q&A with the River Valley Sun, Boone said his “motivation comes from a genuine desire to serve and give back to the community that shaped me. Serving on the town council is, to me, the most meaningful way to give back and help guide the future of Hartland.”
Outside wards
The closest Hartland race came in Ward 3 Brighton, where Charlie Webber defeated incumbent Samuel Walton 147 to 136.
“I knew it was going to be close,” Webber said after the vote.
Webber said he ran after hearing from residents, mostly “outbackers” outside the town core, who wanted a stronger voice on council.
“I pretty much lived out here all my life,” Webber said. “People out here know I have a big mouth. I like to speak up.”
“They want their input heard on where their tax dollars are being spent,” Webber said. “I’m not going in it to be a politician. I’m going to be a representative.”
Webber feels that rural residents lacked representation under the previous council, but added, “there are a few on council that I’m pretty sure I could work with.”
“The work continues”
DeMerchant thanked all candidates who put their names forward and encouraged those who did not win a seat to keep serving the community in other ways.
“To be given the opportunity to serve Hartland as Mayor for another term is humbling,” DeMerchant said. “And to do so with individuals who are willing to give their time, efforts and talents for the betterment of their community, is an even greater privilege.”
“There are always challenges,” said DeMerchant, looking forward. “With input from citizens, we will continue to strive to bring the best.”
The mayor also pointed to work already underway.
“We have made progress with upgrading infrastructure, improvements on the waterfront and working with developers,” DeMerchant said. “That work will continue.”
Hartland’s voter turnout was 28 percent, below District of Carleton North’s 40 percent and Woodstock’s more than 46 percent, but above Nackawic-Millville, where fewer than 18 percent of voters cast ballots.
The swearing-in ceremony for the new council is expected to take place on May 26, pending final certification of the election results. Once sworn in, councillors will also certify a deputy mayor from among themselves.
