Boyd is new face on council

October 28, 2014 · 0 Comments

By Mark Pavilons
There will be one new faced added to King council’s “A Team.”
David Boyd, with a resounding victory Monday night, will be the new councillor for Ward 2 (Nobleton and Laskay).
Boyd took the seat with 942 votes, good for 54.11% of the vote. Boyd more votes than the other three candidates combined.
Incumbent Peter Grandilli earned 317 votes (18.21%), followed by Jim Streb (275) and Joe Buscema (207).
Boyd’s team-based approach led him through the campaign, backed by his family and strong, well organized campaign team. They worked right until the polls closed Monday night, encouraging people get out and vote.
It worked.
The family was greeted by a small, but vocal gathering at The Arbour.
Boyd said he worked hard at getting the vote out and it seems constituents want fresh, new ideas. While going door to door, Boyd said he listened to people, who want to be kept informed and in the loop.
Boyd credits his “great team” of people from across the ward.
His wife Besy was ecstatic and Boyd said she worked right with him all the way. Even the children – son William (6) and daughter Emma (3) – have added the words “vote, work hard” and “campaign” to their vocabulary.
Besy said she’s pleased with the great support and both her and David want the best for the community.
“Everyone has been great every step of the way,” she said.
Both Mayor Steve Pellegrini and Councillor Cleve Mortelliti (who were acclaimed) stopped by the Boyd celebration to offer their congratulations.
“I look forward to working with him,” Mayor Pellegrini said. “He’s joining the ‘A Team’ and we’re looking forward to getting to work.”
Mortelliti said the council was “great” before and now David will add a new dynamic to the team.
While upbeat and positive, Grandilli was visibly disappointed at the loss.
“I’m shocked,” he said as the results came in.
From the totals, it seems Grandilli’s supporters didn’t come out for him. As well, numbers were down a bit, especially considering that Nobleton has grown in population substantially since the last election.
“I would have been happy to be in, but my wife is happy that I lost,” he said with a smile.
The last term at council, he pointed out, was “the best we ever had.”
His priority now is to take a vacation with his wife Carmen.
Jim Streb wished the new council all the best.
“I want to thank the voters of Ward 2 who placed their trust in me. And now I want to wish David Boyd good luck in his next four years in office,” he said.
“Hats off to David Boyd, the new ward 2 councillor,” Buscema said.
David won this election easily and obviously resonated with the vast majority of the voters. Congratulations are in order for Mr Boyd, well done.
King voters backed incumbent councillors Bill Cober, Avia Eek, Grandilli, Linda Pabst and Debbie Schaefer.
In the two-man race in Ward 4, incumbent Bill Cober once again defeated challenger Greg Locke, by a 1,032-477 margin.
Cober said he was thrilled and honoured, appreciating the “support and partnerships” of Ward 4 residents.
From knocking on doors, Cober reiterated the simple fact that the best thing about the community is “people.”
Roads and core municipal services were on the minds of voters this year and Cober said they now have the task of getting that done.
“As I said in 2010 after that campaign, I believe that voters get the leadership they deserve, the leadership they vote for. And to Bill Cober’s credit, Ward 4 certainly got once again what it deserves. Well done Bill!” Locke said.
Veteran Linda Pabst, who’s marking two decades in public service in King, fought off newcomer John Workman, taking the seat 341 to 172.
“I would like to thank the residents of Ward 3 for allowing me the privilege of representing them on King Township council. After 20 years of public service, I will continue to support the needs of our municipality and be a voice of reason. With second and third generations of my family residing in the township, I am reminded of the need for the best quality of life – now and in the future. It truly is an honour to serve,” she said.
Debbie Schaefer won her second election, fending off two challengers. She earned 550 votes, ahead of Chris Gafoor with 291 and Anna Roberts with 102.
“I am thrilled to continue serving Ward 5 and the rest of King Township. Although I admit to being tired from the campaign I am truly re-energized. I am humbled at the confidence in me expressed by re-electing me.
“During my campaign I had many excellent conversations. I talked with people with whom I have not done so for awhile. They confirmed what they value about my work, and they confirmed what their issues and concerns are. And I met people whom I did not know previously. As I described to them how I work and what my values are it was very satisfying to hear many of them indicate that what I said was in harmony with what they are seeking in a councillor.”
Schaefer congratulated both Chris Gafoor and Anna Roberts for their campaigns.
“I think it is great that we have two relatively new residents in King who are interested in their community and who want to be engaged. As it was said at each all-candidates’ meeting, ‘it takes courage to run.’
“I am so appreciative of my wonderful small team who helped me in so many ways; and I had many people who kept encouraging me. I look forward to the next four years working to influence how beautiful King evolves so that it is sustainable.”
Gafoor thanked his supporters in King Township.
“I am humbled that you have opened your doors and embraced me with your trust, your confidence and your extended friendship which I will value dearly for many years to come.
“The results of the 2014 election is not a defeat, but rather a marginal victory in my life-long campaign for giving our community a strong voice of reason and for providing a quality of life that residents deserve.
“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Ms. Shaefer on her success for retaining office for the next four years and I trust that she will be diligent in executing the Township’s plans. Let’s be vigilant and work together for a better King Township.”
Holland Marsh farmer Avia Eek got the nod of approval from her constituents, taking the seat handily, 322 votes to Simon Lloyd’s 76.
“Well, I have been visiting residents, farmers and business owners from the 19th Sideroad to Bridge St. talking with them about their issues, concerns, and how we keep the momentum going moving King Township forward. I am quite optimistic that Ward 6 will retain the strong, sincere voice that has been prevalent since 2010.
“We have a great community of caring, thoughtful people here in Ward 6, and indeed, throughout King Township. It’s about bringing ideas together from the community, then working together to see where those ideas fit best–it is not about one person doing all the work on their own. In Ward 6 we are a team.
“I have made it very clear that I am always accessible – never further than the telephone. No matter how small a resident thinks their issue is, if it’s an issue to them, it’s an issue to me. If they have a question about a decision made at council, talk to me. My door is always open.”
Lloyd spent election night at home with my family. He also dropped by Councillor Eek’s open house briefly to offer his congratulations and best wishes in person.
“I would like to thank all the kind residents who voted for me, donated to my campaign, spoke with me at their doors, and put one of my signs on their lawn in my run for Ward 6 councillor. Campaigning was such a great experience. I learned so much about this great community, especially the Holland Marsh, and I learned how much work running government really is!
“I have a great respect for our elected officials and I hope the constituents of King Township realize and appreciate how hard the mayor, council and trustees work for us. Congratulations to Councillor Eek here in Ward 6 and all those across King Township voted into office on Monday night.”