Orillia's mayor and city council was given a solid vote of confidence in Monday's municipal election.
Steve Clarke garnered almost 70 per cent of votes to earn a second term as mayor, easily defeating challenger Gord Launchbury in the two-horse race for the city's top political job.
On top of that, all six city councillors who were seeking re-election were successful. The only new faces to join the council table are David Campbell in Ward 1 and Jay Fallis in Ward 3, replacing councillors who opted not to run this time around.
The results are vindication of what council has been trying to accomplish the past four years, said Coun. Ted Emond, who was re-elected in Ward 3.
"My sense is there's a 20 to 25 per cent of the populace who is voting against what our council has done," said Emond, in reflecting on the results. "That suggests to me 75 per cent are in favour of continuing the momentum."
"I'm a little disappointed," in the voter turnout, which was around 35 per cent, said Emond.
Despite that, he was pleased with the results. "We are on a roll and we can keep that roll going."
It was the second straight election in which Clarke won a large percentage of votes cast. In 2014, almost 80 per cent of voters cast ballots for the long-time downtown restaurant owner, who trounced challenger John Maxwell.
This time around, the race was a little tighter. In what many deemed a referendum on the city's plan to sell the distribution arm of Orillia Power to Hydro One. Clarke, a vocal proponent of that deal, earned 67 per cent of the votes. Launchbury, who had previously run three different times for a council seat, falling short each time, earned about 33 per cent of votes.
Ward 1
Newcomer David Campbell topped the polls in Ward 1 as 1,610 voted for the IT technician. Incumbent Ted Emond was also victorious with 1.143 votes.
Ward 2
Rob Kloostra and Ralph Cipolla were both returned to city hall. Kloostra earned 1,263 votes, while Cipolla was second with 1,223 votes.
Ward 3
Mason Ainsworth received 1,235 votes to top the polls in Ward 3. Political newcomer Jay Fallis earned 984 votes to finish second and win a seat the council table.
Ward 4
Incumbents Tim Lauer and Pat Hehn were re-elected in Ward 4. Lauer earned 1,490 votes while 950 people voted for Hehn.
School boards
Jodi Lloyd was re-elected as the Simcoe County District School Board's trustee for Orillia, Ramara and Severn. She earned 6,881 votes to challenger Debra Edwards's 5,485.
Francis Smith was acclaimed as the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board's trustee for Orillia, Oro-Medonte, Ramara and Severn.
These results are unofficial.
Check back here tomorrow for much more about tonight's election.
– With files from Nathan Taylor
