SACKVILLE, N.B. – Shawn Mesheau will be returning to council once again.
Mesheau, who has served three previous terms on Sackville town council, was victorious in Monday night’s byelection with 470 ballots cast in his direction - making him the top vote-getter of the five candidates who were vying for the vacant seat.
Sabine Dietz was his next closest competitor, earning 296 votes, while Dylan Wooley-Berry earned 216, Brian Neilson 113, and Julia Feltham 104.
Mesheau said he was overwhelmed by his numbers Monday night and thanked his supporters as well as his family and friends, including his wife Angie, for helping him achieve such a high margin of victory.
“Yeah, I’m very happy with the results,” said Mesheau. “It took a lot of work on behalf of a lot of people to get there, so I’m very grateful for that.”
Mesheau has a decade of experience in municipal politics, having served on town council for two consecutive three-year terms from 1998-2004 and then again from 2012-2016.
Mesheau said he believes his promise to bring a “balanced approach” to council earned him his seat on council. He said residents should feel like they’re not just being listened to but that they’re being heard, no matter what sector of the community they represent.
He said he’s ready to roll his sleeves up and get to work on some of the issues he said the community would like to see addressed – such as lifting the drive-thru ban and putting forward ideas for a diverse economy.
Dietz said while she was, of course, disappointed she wasn’t able to earn the win Monday night, she is thrilled with the number of voters who came out to cast their ballots in a byelection on a cold winter day.
“It’s a good showing. Voter turnout was quite a bit higher than everyone expected and that’s a good thing. I think it shows people are interested,” said Dietz.
Dietz, an environmental consultant and community volunteer, said she believes the interest stemmed from the fact there were so many candidates who brought different voices to the table – making for varied conversations.
“I’m glad we didn’t just have one or two candidates,” she said. “I think it bodes well for the community and what it says about us and our interest in the democratic process.”
No matter the results, Dietz said she will continue to keep her eye on what is happening when it comes to local governance as she has a keen interest in municipal politics. And she may even throw her hat back in the ring when the next municipal election rolls around in May 2020 – and she hopes the other candidates will consider doing the same.
Dylan Wooley-Berry, the youngest candidate in this year’s byelection, at 24, said he’s pleased he was able to bring in the numbers he did, earning almost 20 per cent of the vote and garnering a third-place showing.
“I’m really proud of the campaign I ran,” he said.
Having knocked on more than 600 doors during the month-long campaign, Wooley-Berry said he felt it was a great learning experience and is so glad he got to meet with so many residents and hear the issues that were on their mind.
He said he wasn’t ready to commit to running in the next municipal election, but added “ask me again in 14 months.”
Brian Neilson said he feels the election results show a “deep and significant rift” in Sackville as to how the community prioritizes its future.
“My hope is that the council, in its new makeup, will make decisions based on the Sackville that could be, rather than the Sackville that once was,” said Neilson. “As the old saying goes, where there is no vison, the people perish.”
Julia Feltham congratulated Mesheau as well as all the other candidates for their hard work during the campaign. She thanked those who encouraged her to run as well as the time residents spent at their doorsteps sharing their hopes, concerns and ideas for the town.
“It's clear we don't suffer from a lack of passion and talent in our community,” said Feltham.
With about 1,200 votes cast in Sackville’s byelection (out of 4,599 eligible voters), voter turnout was at about 26 per cent.
Feltham said she was pleased with the relatively high voter turnout for a byelection and was encouraged to see how many voters were eager for new voices on council.
“I hope the high voter turnout reflects an eagerness to hold our new council to account. I'm excited to see what happens in 16 months.”
She said this election campaign has renewed her inspiration to work on this town, encourage civic engagement, a healthy business culture and tackle misinformation and misunderstandings.
“Though the election results aren't what I had hoped, I still believe civic discourse can improve and we can build a broader strategic process to unite our town in our vision to thrive,” said Feltham.
Sackville Mayor John Higham said he welcomes Mesheau’s return to council to fill the seat vacated by Megan Mitton's election to the provincial legislature. He also thanked the others who ran in the byelection, saying the depth and breadth of the candidates is indicative of the interest in the wide range of issues the town is taking on.
“Adding Shawn's experience with past councils that grappled with some of those same issues will help lead to better outcomes for the town,” said Higham.
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