Mississippi Mills Mayor, Christa Lowry was acclaimed for the second time in the recent municipal elections as was her deputy mayor and most of council. Ramsay was the only ward to hold an election for its two seats, and four candidates signed up, two incumbents and two challengers.
One incumbent, Bev Holmes, was successful and another, Vicki Lowe lost.
While acclamations across the province were down compared to the last election, total voter turnout was up, by 1% over the 2022 campaign, meaning 34% of eligible voters marked a ballot.
There will be two new faces around the council table; Ramsay ward representative Brien Devries, and Pakenham ward’s Tavis Joron.
Returning by acclamation or re-elected are Mayor Lowry, Deputy Mayor Rickie Minnille, Almonte ward’s Mary Lou Souter and Jane Torrance, and Ramsay ward’s Bev Holmes.
Lowry said her council will be busy from the start.
When asked about what she hoped council would achieve over its four-year term, Lowry said she had a project list as long as her arm.
She recognized that decisions are made easier in her municipality thanks to an engaged public that never fails to participate in record-setting numbers in surveys and town-hall meeting style public information centres. She lists continuing that public engagement as her main priority.
The new council will officially take over on November 15th and an inaugural meeting is slated for November 16th. Hear our complete conversation with Lowry below.
Story by Brian Turner
