"Oh my," are all the words Steve Schafer could verbalize for a few moments after being informed by the Advocate he had come out on top with the highest number of town council votes: 569.
"Oh my," are all the words Steve Schafer could verbalize for a few moments after being informed by the Advocate he had come out on top with the highest number of town council votes: 569.
Schafer said the first order of business is getting acquainted with his colleagues.
"It will be good to get to know those I'll be working with on council … and there are a number of things of interest to the community," he said.
"I would like to congratulate all of those who were elected," he added. "I'd also like to thank the members of previous council that have served, and actually served Athabasca so well."
Shelly Gurba was only five votes behind Schafer and said, laughing, that the first thought that entered her mind upon hearing the results was, "What have I gotten myself into?"
"It was really nice to see that there was a lot of voter turnout for this election," she said. "I was watching people going in and out all day long, and on Saturday."
Gurba previously sat on a summer village council, and although town council represents a larger population, she's not worried.
"As long as you're open to people and let them get a hold of you, I don't see a problem with it," she said of the leap from village to town.
Nichole Adams, formerly the vice-president of the Athabasca Ratepayers' Association, received 539 votes and a spot on town council.
"I am excited to work with council and spend the next four years improving the town in any way I can," said Adams. "I would like to thank all the voters for coming out to cast their ballots, and I look forward to the first council meeting."
The new town council's organizational meeting will be Oct. 29; the first regular council meeting will be Nov. 5.
Tanu Tyszka-Evans received 521 votes and admitted he was nervous as the results were coming in.
"I guess any first-time councillor is probably nervous," said the son of departing town councillor Paula Evans.
Although he is keen to gain traction with projects like greater use of social media, he said he would like to hear what the other councillors have to say before acting.
"Anything that comes out of council has to be a joint effort," he said.
Tim Verhaeghe, one of only two incumbent councillors who ran, netted 428 votes and kept his seat.
"I would like to thank all those that supported me, and I will endeavour to be the best councillor that Athabasca has and that I can be. Let's move forward and keep this town great," he said.
Tim's brother Richard, the other incumbent in the race and at one time the mayor of Athabasca, received 338 votes and did not keep his seat.
Joanne Peckham, who has served on town council in the past, regained a seat with 380 votes.
"I am so humbled and honoured and beyond excited," she said. "I am so proud the community voted me in, and I am proudly going to do a great job as councillor on behalf of the community.
"I have waited a long time for this and I did it. This is so incredible. I am really excited."
