Pat Perkins returned as mayor of Whitby

Pat Perkins wins with 47.55 per cent of the vote. Rocky Varcoe – 35.42, Marcel Brunelle: 17.03

Other winners:

Michael  Emm – 49.92 for centre ward

Tracy Hanson 46.12 for north ward

Ken Montague – 32.13 for east ward

Don Mitchell – 22.59, Lorne Coe 22.50, Drumm 20.48 for regional councillors

Elizabeth Roy – 64.02 west ward

Some surprises as numbers take a turn

Loud whispers can be heard throughout council chambers as the results continue to show up on the screen. There have been some surprises in the last 15 minutes, including Varcoe losing speed against Perkins and falling from neck and neck.

Mitchell, Coe and Drumm are still in the lead for the three regional councillor spots. Tracy Hanson has dived past Pitchforth for the north ward.

Emm continues his steady lead against Scott for centre ward, as Roy appears to be a sure win for the west ward.

The most exciting seems to be the race for the east ward as Montague and Michael O'Hare continue to fight with only a handful of votes between them. 

Christine Winters and Kim Zeppieri take the lead for English-speaking school board trustee, Chris Leahy and Mary Ann Martin are up front for catholic school board, Mike Ross is in the lead for the french school board and Olga Lambert for the french catholic school board.

Finally, for the question on the ballot regardung whether or not the regional chairman should be elected, the people have answered with a resounding YES taking a more than 80 per cent lead.

Watching the results

Watching the results at Whitby Town Hall

Sent from my iPhone

 

Results from first three polls are in

The room is now packed with eager eyes watching as the results start to appear...three of 32 polls (the advance polls) have ben reported so far. It's anticipated that all poll results will be revealed within the next 45 minutes.

In the mayoral race, Pat Perkins is ahead of Rocky Varcoe by a hair while Marcel Brunelle lags behind. The top three picks for regional councillor for Whitby are so far, Don Mitchell, Lorne Coe and Joe Drumm. Sue Pitchforth is ahead in the north ward with Tracy Hanson close behind, Elizabeth Roy is well ahead in the west ward, Ken Montague takes the lead for east ward, Shirley Scott and Michael Emm are in a close race for the centre ward.

Stay tuned...

Live from town hall, excitement building

People are slowly beginning to trickle into council chambers at Whitby town hall and watch the big screen at the front where the results will start pouring in shortly. There are about 50 people currently here, including some candidates, friends and family members, as well as residents. Regional councillor candidate Joe Drumm was the first one I saw arrive here around 7:30, followed by North Ward candidate Sue Pitchforth, mayoral candidate Marcel Brunelle and regional councillor candidate Linda Lyons. We wait.

Marcel Brunelle

Sent from my iPhone

Don't let your vote go to waste

Today you, Durham residents, can make history.

You have the opportunity to turn around disappointing voter turnout numbers in recent elections by doing your part to choose who will represent you at the municipal level.

Here's one last look at who's running for mayor, regional councillor, ward councillor and school board trustee in Whitby. 

The results, arriving once the polls close at 8 p.m. tonight, will be tracked by us on this blog, ongoing coverage on www.durhamregion.com and in tomorrow's paper. Vote!

 

2003 - 70,826 eligible electors  =  20.92% voter turnout

2006 - 80,982 eligible electors  =  24.28% voter turnout

2010 - ? YOU DECIDE

Last minute campaigning in Whitby

There's no better time to get out there and get yourself noticed in an election than in the last few days leading up to voting day.

A couple of clowns did just that this weekend, hitting the streets of downtown Whitby on Saturday in a bid to catch drivers' attention.

They succeeded.

Less than two weeks remaining...

Official voting day is just around the corner but for those unable to make it on Oct. 25, advance voting opportunities are available starting today until Oct. 17 at the following three spots:

• St. Leo the Great Catholic Church (Parish Hall)
  130 Watford Street, Brooklin
• Town of Whitby Municipal Building (Meeting Hall)
  575 Rossland Road East
• Iroquois Park Sports Complex (Fireside Room - Sports Garden Cafe)
  500 Victoria Street West

Spirited debate attracts hundreds

Tuesday's election debates for regional councillor candidates and mayoral candidates, held at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences in Whitby were widely attended by residents across Whitby. I was fortunate to be one of three media representatives on the panel and despite the hour provided for each debate, time flew by. A lot of issues were covered with questions from us, as well as the audience.

After speaking to some residents who attended, many found the regional councillor debate was less exciting and informative than the mayoral one. Of course, there were double the number of candidates and each had less time to speak. Overall, it was a good opportunity for the public to meet who they will be voting for.

Read my stories on the regional debate and the mayoral debate or watch the latter one unfold for yourself on RogersTV:

Monday, Oct. 11 - 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 13 - 8 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 14 - 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 15 - 1:30 p.m.