Smiths Falls Mayor-Elect Chris Cummings with his wife Linda - he thanked her extensively for her support during the campaign.
It was a packed house at the Smiths Falls Memorial Community Centre Monday night as candidates, supporters and residents gathered to learn who would lead the town for the next four years.
By the end of the evening, Christopher G. Cummings had been elected the next mayor of Smiths Falls, defeating Peter McKenna and Nate Morris in a three-way race to succeed outgoing Mayor Shawn Pankow.
According to unofficial results released by the Town of Smiths Falls, Cummings received 1,781 votes, compared to 986 for McKenna and 599 for Morris.
Cummings captured nearly 53 per cent of the votes cast in the mayoral race, finishing 795 votes ahead of McKenna.
Speaking with 92.3 WOW FM moments after his victory, Cummings was visibly emotional as residents lined up to congratulate him.
He admitted the result had caught him somewhat by surprise.
The victory follows months of campaigning that began in May.
Throughout the municipal election campaign, Cummings and his opponents addressed several issues facing Smiths Falls, including the cost of living, municipal spending, infrastructure, drinking water, doctor recruitment and the future of recreation facilities.
The candidates also offered their views on strong mayor powers and how the town should manage its growth and finances.
Cummings says conversations with hundreds of residents helped him develop the platform he intends to put into action.
While acknowledging the demands of the campaign, the mayor-elect says he is already looking toward his new responsibilities.
Cummings says his first priority will be putting the action plan developed during the campaign into motion.
Six councillors elected
Monday’s election also determined who will occupy the six seats around the Smiths Falls council table.
Jennifer Miller received the highest number of votes among council candidates with 2,008, followed closely by Bill Dickson with 1,997.
Christopher McGuire finished third with 1,845 votes, followed by Greg Hull with 1,745 and Dawn Quinn with 1,458.
Alex Brown claimed the final council seat with 1,155 votes, narrowly defeating Stephen Robinson, who received 1,138.
Just 17 votes separated the two candidates.
James Creighton was also close behind with 1,128 votes, making the race for the final council seat one of the closest contests of the night.
Voter turnout below 40 per cent
Despite the crowd gathered at the Memorial Community Centre to follow the results, voter turnout across Smiths Falls was 38.6 per cent.
Residents had been able to cast their ballots online or by telephone beginning October 19, with voting closing at 8 p.m. on election night.
The election marks a change in leadership for Smiths Falls as Pankow’s time as mayor comes to an end.
For Cummings, the coming weeks will be about preparing to take over the responsibilities of the mayor’s office, working with the newly elected council and following through on the commitments he made to voters.
For residents, the election brings a new council that will be responsible for decisions affecting town services, spending, infrastructure and the community’s future.
All results remain unofficial until formally certified by the municipal clerk.
