Onichuk elected mayor handily

Despite being a newcomer to municipal politics, Dan Onichuk handily defeated Sharon Tibbs, a councillor for 12 years, in Monday’s municipal election.
According to unofficial results released after midnight, Onichuk had garnered 2,308 votes (63.16 percent of the 3,654 votes cast) compared to 1,346 (36.84 percent) for Tibbs.
“I feel great,” an elated Onichuk said as he watched the numbers being posted at the Civic Centre on Monday night.
His lead had remained strong from the first set of poll results that came in, keeping steady at around 60 percent of the total votes.
“At this moment, I have to thank all the people who supported me, my friends and family,” he remarked. “Sharon had an advantage over me—name recognition.
“But people told me the most important thing was to get out there, knock on doors, and get people to know my name and my face.
“And it worked,” smiled Onichuk, who was accompanied by his daughter, Moreta.
“I have to congratulate all the people [council candidates] that were successful. But just as important were the ones that threw their hats in the ring,” he added.
“It’s a tough job, and not everyone can take the heat. Having gone through the whole campaign process, I admire them for running in the first place.”
Meanwhile, town council for the next three years will be a mix of the familiar and the new. All three incumbents—Roy Avis, Struchan Gilson, and Neil Kabel—were re-elected, who will be joined by newcomers Tannis Drysdale, Todd Hamilton, and Rick Wiedenhoeft.
Wiedenhoeft garnered the most votes among the 11 council candidates (2,627), with Avis next (2,522). Hamilton was a very close third (2,463), followed by Drysdale (2,191), Gilson (1,932), and Kabel (1,873).
Former councillor John Albanese was seventh (1,743), with Pastor Stephen Laing (1,466), former councillor Gus Lindberg (1,186), Misty Christian (1,050), and Bud Edwards (1,030) rounding out the field.
The current council (consisting of Mayor Glenn Witherspoon, Couns. Avis, Gilson, and Kabel, and outgoing councillors Deane Cunningham, Dave Bourgeault, and Tibbs) will meet for the last time next Monday (Nov. 17).
The new mayor and council will be sworn in at the inaugural meeting Monday, Dec. 1.
Meanwhile, the incumbents running for the two Fort Frances seats on the Rainy River District School Board were re-elected Monday night.
Longtime trustee Gord McBride led with 1,955 votes while Dan Belluz garnered 1,926. Challenger Linda Wall wound up with 1,261 votes.
The election results will be posted for public viewing at the Civic Centre until the end of the week.
Clerk Glenn Treftlin is expected declare the results official in the next couple of days.
(Fort Frances Daily Bulletin)