The only two returning members of Amherstburg council say they're looking forward to a more respectful team approach this time around.
Diane Pouget was re-elected with 4,000 votes, the most out of all 22 council candidates. "This time I believe we have the vote that we need. Last time we tried to have a 5% reduction in the budget and we just couldn't get that, the vote was 4-3 against us," says Pouget. "So the first thing we're going to have to do is reduce all unnecessary costs in the budget."
Current councillor Bart DiPasquale became deputy mayor-elect with 56% of the vote over his two opponents, one being former councillor Carolyn Davies. "I guess people wanted change and they got it," says DiPasquale. "(I expect) more of a team approach and much more respect and work as a team and try to come up with good results for the community."
Moving forward they both say a major focus will be put on reducing debt and increasing reserve funds.
Mayor Wayne Hurst opted not to seek re-election while Councillor John Sutton and Deputy Mayor Ron Sutherland lost their mayoral bid to newcomer Aldo DiCarlo. Robert Pillon sought re-election for a councillor seat, but came in 13th place out of 22 candidates. Voter turnout in Amherstburg was 47%.