For a second time, Rob Muench will be the Mayor of Humboldt.
The unofficial results from Wednesday’s Civic Election saw Muench named as the mayor-elect with 988 votes.
Andrew Breker was second with 777 votes.
Harley Bentley was third with 182 votes.
The vote count from the election will not become official until Thursday.
Shortly after the announcement of the unofficial results rolled in, Muench was quick to congratulate his competitors in the mayoral race.
“It’s been a couple of weeks of strong campaigning by everyone and I appreciate everyone else that ran against me, Andrew (Breker) and Harley (Bentley).
He also thanked the residents who voted him as mayor.
During his campaigning, Muench said he heard a variety of issues from residents with the main one being the growth that Humboldt is expected to see.
“I know council has been very busy probably for the last ten years getting ready for the expansion at BHP and how that’s going to affect our community.”
Other items that were common in Muench’s discussions with citizens during the campaigning process included a new theatre, a second ice surface, and a new long-term care home.
Muench highlighted the importance of municipal politics.
“We always say municipal government affects everybody, it’s your daily life, it’s not something in Ottawa or Regina, it’s right here at home, so I think people are more in tuned with municipally than they are provincially or federally.”
Since 2006, Muench has been involved with city council as either a councillor or as mayor (2006-16,2020-24 as councillor,2016-20 as mayor), and he says that his experience was a key component of his campaign.
“I’ve heard a number of times from people they would like to see somebody who has experience and has been on council before, I think that’s a part of what people decided when they voted for me.”
At the time of the interview, the results for the councillor positions were not decided. But with only three incumbents running, Muench was aware that he would be working with at least three new councillors. He commended all of the ten individuals who put their name forward as a councillor candidate.
“I think everybody on the slate here this year was very well qualified for running, it’s nice to see that. There are so many communities that are really struggling to find people to fill the seats they have by acclimation; it is always heartwarming to see that many people putting their names to run.
He added “I’m looking forward to whoever gets in, to working hard with them to bring our community forward.”
Muench also extended appreciation to his wife Donna who has provided him support throughout his 18 years on council.
The unofficial results for the six councillor positions are:
Marilyn Scott-1217
Larry Jorgenson-1158
Karen Siermachesky- 1044
Dave Rowe- 1001
Roger Korte-1001
Sarah McInnis- 987
Amanda Klitch-984
Lee Dufort-877
Clayton Armstrong-679
Darcy Leonew-675
You can listen Rob Muench's comments shortly after the election results below.