Nipawin re-elects mayor, Muench wins in Humboldt, Melfort councillors elected

Rob Muench, who was the mayor from 2016-2020, and a councillor on the last council, was the unofficial winner with 988 votes.

Andrew Breker finished second with 777 votes, while Harley Bentley had 182.

Muench told northeastNOW it feels good to be elected as mayor for a second time.

“I’d like to thank everybody that put their trust in me here and voted for me again,” said Muench. “It’s going to be a lot of work to do, so I’m looking forward to it.”

One of the big topics on the campaign trail was the continued growth in Humboldt, and the growth expected when the BHP Jansen mine is in full swing. Muench said that’s a top priority and this past council has been focusing on growth, and its opportunities and challenges.

“Hopefully we’ll be able to hit the ground running in the next couple of days.”

Muench believes that people voted for his experience in council chambers, and he said he would be using that experience for the next four years to tackle some of the things the city wants to do now into the future.

He thanked everyone who voted for him, friends who volunteered for him, his wife and family. Muench also commended fellow mayoral candidates Harley Bentley and Andrew Breker, and all of the councillor candidates for putting their name forward.

Elected as councillors in Humboldt were Marilyn Scott with 1217 votes, incumbent Larry Jorgenson with 1158 votes, Keith Siermachesky with 1044, incumbent Roger Korte and Dave Rowe each with 1001, and Sarah McInnis with 987 votes.

NIPAWIN:

Marlon Zacharias has easily won re-election as mayor in Nipawin.

Zacharias received 710 votes on Wednesday night.

He will return to the mayor’s chair after being elected in the 2023 by-election after Rennie Harper’s resignation.

Zacharias told northeastNOW that he is looking forward to serving a full four-year term.

“It’s great to know that I’ve earned the community’s trust after a short first year,” said Zacharias.

He said the town will continue to look at combating the crime issues faced in Nipawin.

“That’s always been the number one issue,” Zacharias said.

Crime is not the only focus for Zacharias, however. He said the town assembled a community plan that they are excited to be moving on in the next three to four years. Zacharias said his campaign was about growing Nipawin into the future, and that will be a huge focus for him going forward.

The investigation into Rennie Harper’s behaviour as mayor, and her subsequent resignation, caused some major turmoil in Nipawin last year. Zacharias said the town has come through that rough patch.

“My goal, especially in the first few months, was really just to settle the ship and get us moving on the right track again, moving us forward,” said Zacharias. “I think I did that very well in the first year.”

Zacharias said he’s excited to continue working with administration and bring some big changes to Nipawin in the next few years.

Kerry Skowronski finished second to Zacharias with 273 votes, while Brian Starkell had 242.

northeastNOW did not receive councillor election results in Nipawin, Results for mayor and councilor in Tisdale were also not available before the story’s deadline, and we will likely have to wait for the official results to be released on Thursday.

MELFORT:

Melfort has elected a new council to work alongside incumbent mayor Glenn George, who was elected by acclamation.

Incumbent councillor Tara Muntain received the most votes with 758, followed closely by first-time councillor Adrian Bourgeois.

Rick Fettis was also elected for the first time, receiving 673 votes, while incumbent Brian Enge returns to council after receiving 650 votes.

Seth MacNaughton, who has previously served on council, returns to City Hall after receiving 593 votes, and incumbent Trent Mitchell is back with 548 votes.

CARROT RIVER:

In Carrot River, incumbents Evan Wolowski, Neal Wasko (a former councillor), and Chris Bergen were all re-elected as councillors.

They will be joined by Andrew Kavanagh, Donald Anthony, and Kendall Friske.

Carrie Neigel was acclaimed as the new mayor. She was a councillor from 2020-2024.

WATSON:

All candidates in Watson were acclaimed.

That includes Mayor Bruce Nordick, incumbent councillors Mike Brost, Aron Friesen, Lindsey Sobchyschyn, and Jeff Turchyn, and new councillors Glenn McKenna and Inga MacLaine.

NAICAM:

Naicam’s council was also elected by acclamation.

Long-tiime mayor Rodger Hayward will return.

Incumbent councillors Bev Hardy and Jack Ramler will be joined by Courtney Brochu, Bruce Gottormson, Melissa Kreutzweiser and Lillian Meerkins.

by Cam Lee

Nipawin re-elects mayor, Muench wins in Humboldt, Melfort councillors elected

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