District principal elected mayor of new municipality

As if Jerry O’Leary isn’t busy enough these days as the principal of three district schools, he’ll soon by at the helm of a municipality.
O’Leary was elected mayor of the newly-amalgamated municipality of Sioux Narrows Nestor Falls on Monday night, narrowly beating Sioux Narrows Reeve Dick Motlong by a count of 285-251.
Gale Black ran a distant third at 106 votes, with Gordon Martinson last with just 20.
O’Leary, who is from Nestor Falls, couldn’t be reached for comment prior to press time. But his election should do a lot to allay concerns of residents there who were upset with a provincial commissioner’s decision that they be amalgamated with Sioux Narrows and several unincorporated areas.
Even though one seat on the four-member council was designated for a representative from the southern half of the new municipality (i.e., Nestor Falls), many residents were worried that with most of the population living in the north end (Sioux Narrows), their voice would never be heard.
That shouldn’t be the case now.
Philip Hudson, who was acclaimed as the councillor for Ward 2 (southern area), admitted O’Leary’s election will ease any existing concerns.
“You couldn’t get it any better. I think there’s a little more comfort in their minds as to what’s going to happen,” said Hudson, who noted O’Leary attracted just enough votes in Sioux Narrows which, when combined with his support in Nestor Falls, put him over the top.
“He’s going to be a busy fellow but he has lots of knowledge. He knows what he’s doing,” Hudson added.
“I’ve been in municipal politics for 25 years and I’ve learned to respect the decision of voters,” said Motlong.
“I hope for the best. There’s five new people and none of them have much experience so it may be a bit rough for the first few years,” he warned.
In fact, none of the incumbents on Sioux Narrows council were re-elected Monday. Newcomers Bill Thompson (369) and Randy Hanson (362) beat Daniel Bouvier (272) and Fred Kropelin (227) for the two councillor-at-large seats while Doug Davis defeated Lou Kabel 236-165 in Ward 1 (northern area).
But Hudson said he’s confident all the elected candidates are now looking at the municipality as a whole rather than Sioux Narrows vs. Nestor Falls.
“The government pushed us into this so we’re going into it saying ‘Let’s make it work,’” he said.
O’Leary is principal of Nestor Falls School, Sturgeon Creek School in Barwick, and the Sturgeon Creek Alternative Program in Stratton.