New and Familiar Faces Set to Shape Uxbridge Council

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard

UXBRIDGE: Dave Barton will serve a third term as mayor after earning a decisive victory in Monday’s municipal election, securing 64.2 percent of the vote to lead Uxbridge Township for another four years.

Mayor Barton received 5,881 votes, finishing well ahead of challenger Ian Giffin, who collected 1,967 votes (21.5 percent), and Ted Eng, who received 1,310 votes (14.3 percent).

First elected mayor in 2018, Barton previously served a partial term as Ward 3 councillor following the passing of Pat Mikuse.

Following his victory, Mr. Barton expressed enthusiasm about working with the newly elected council, highlighting the different perspectives and experiences members will bring to the table.

“I’m excited about what our new council will accomplish. We bring different views, experiences and skills to the table, but we all love Uxbridge and want to make a real difference for the people who call it home.

“Everyone on this council wants to work hard for our community. We’ll all do it in different ways, but wow, this is going to be an exciting term,” Mayor Barton added.

Bruce Garrod will also return to council, winning a second term as regional councillor with 6,762 votes (77.5 percent). Challenger Jeff Mittman received 1,964 votes (22.5 percent).

In Ward 1, incumbent Pamela Beach secured another term, earning 737 votes (43.9 percent) to finish ahead of Colin Thacker, who received 516 votes (30.7 percent).

Lori Kennedy collected 328 votes (19.5 percent), while Karen Kenyon received 64 votes (3.8 percent) and Victoria Devenport finished with 34 votes (2 percent).

Councillor Beach, who has served on council since 2014, will begin her fourth term representing Ward 1.

Ward 2 incumbent Gordon Shreeve comfortably retained his seat, receiving 1,311 votes (79.5 percent). Challenger Janet Betts received 339 votes (20.5 percent).

In Ward 3, Craig Marlatt won the councillor’s seat with 1,162 votes (67.1 percent), defeating Jacquie Hermans, who received 569 votes (32.9 percent).

Willie Popp was re-elected in Ward 4, earning 1,920 votes (81.4 percent) to defeat Alex Orr, who received 438 votes (18.6 percent). Mr. Popp’s victory secures his third term on council.

Ward 5 voters also delivered a decisive result, electing Christine McKenzie with 1,098 votes (76.3 percent). Challenger W. David Ward received 342 votes (23.8 percent).

The election also determined Uxbridge’s representatives on the public school board, with two trustee positions included in the municipal vote.

Former Uxbridge Secondary School educator Dave Brown topped the field with 8,412 votes, followed by Paul Breeze with 6,944. Both were elected. James Bountrogiannis received 5,510 votes, while Netalia Duboisky collected 3,841.

With the election results decided, Mayor Barton and the returning and newly elected councillors will prepare to begin the next term, bringing a mix of experience and new perspectives to the township’s municipal government.