There is something special about election night, though it sometimes takes a while to sink in.
I have covered countless elections locally, and like last night, most are filled with some results that are predictable and others that are very surprising.
What they all share though, is a direct and clear message about the importance of voting, engagement, and democracy in general.
Turnout varied greatly. In Belleville, it was just under 36%. In Prince Edward County, it was just over 50%.
On Belleville Council, all seven Councillors who ran again were re-elected with Barb Enright-Miller getting the most votes in Ward One.
In Prince Edward County, there were no votes at all for Councillors in three wards who were acclaimed, and yet turnout overall was very high.
Quinte West has many new faces, but a handful of returning Councillors including Al Dewitt, who returns to his former seat in Sidney Ward to be led by new Mayor Zack Card.
For those who lost, like I did in 2018 (badly, I might add), I offer my thanks for putting your name on the ballot.
For the winners, congratulations and good luck as the hard work now begins.
For the community, I encourage you to support the people won ever if you voted for someone else.
Municipal governments in this region face a number of daunting challenges. They need your support and not just on election day.
I’m Paul Martin and that’s what I see looking Beyond the Headlines.
