The City of Morden has a new mayor. Nancy Penner came out on top, receiving 1,567 votes in Wednesday's by-election.
Penner gave her reaction to being chosen to lead the city for the next three years.
"I have to say I am so overwhelmed by the incredible support from the community with the election results tonight, and you know, I am so excited. I have to say it's truly an honour and a privilege to be elected Mayor of Morden."
Penner thanked all the candidates who put their name forward in the by-election, and had this to say about her opponent, Nicholas Hoeppner, whose door-to-door campaign strategy garnered him 314 votes.
"I really have to thank Nicholas Hoeppner, who put his name on the ballot for Mayor. He wanted to really engage the younger members of Morden to get involved in municipal politics, and to help the people voice their opinions, so I really hope he continues to get involved in the community. We had some good chats tonight, as we're watching the polls count their ballots and bring in the numbers. He sounds excited to continue on his energy, and get involved in the community, so I encouraged him to keep going. There's another election three years down the road."
Hoeppner said it was fun while he campaigned, and wished Penner the best, hoping all goes well for her.
"I think the best experience was getting to meet the people, shaking their hands, getting to talk to them and meet the neighbourhood. Other than that, my hope was to get more people to vote, and I don't know if I was able to accomplish that or not. But, I hope me running did something to impact somebody's life, to make change, or to go out and to shoot your shot, do what you want to do, try. Worst case scenario, you get second.”
Penner said improved communication is a priority for her as the new leader, noting people find their information about city matters in a variety of ways. She looks forward to learning the next steps of being sworn in as Mayor, and meeting with the newly formed council in the coming days, as the city moves into a new year.
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