History made in 2008 Nackawic election

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PHOTO BY JEFFREY BENTO-CARRIER

History was made on Monday night in Nackawic, as Rowena Simpson, left, the community's longtime deputy mayor, was voted in as the town's first female mayor. She is seen here being congratulated by her lone opponent in the race, former councillor Rebecca (Becky) Boulter.

It was a history-making night in Nackawic on Monday, as Rowena Simpson, the community's longtime deputy mayor, was voted in as the town's first female mayor.

Simpson, who has 21 years experience in the banking profession, had served 16 years on council and been deputy mayor since 2001.

In Monday's 2008 municipal election, she won by a decisive margin over her lone competitor, former Nackawic councillor Rebecca (Becky) Boulter, who is a paraprofessional by trade.

Official results had Simpson taking 272 votes to Boulter's 196.

Simpson is the second member of her family to hold the town's top spot.

Her husband, Bob Simpson, served nine years as the town's mayor from 1974 to 1983.

Rowena Simpson took a 190 to 148 lead in the early going, just minutes after the polls closed.

She extended her winning advantage when advance polls were officially posted less than one hour into the count.

Rowena, in a sit-down interview at her home just moments after being declared the winner, said she was honoured and proud to be the town's first female mayor.

"I made my decision to run for mayor in February of this year, and it's been a long campaign," she said. "I feel really happy. It was a bit nerve-wracking in the days leading up to the vote. I had served five terms on council, but this (the run for mayor) was different, of course.

"I'm looking forward to working with our new council on issues which are important to our town, and our region. I think leadership was the key to this vote and that's what, among other issues, I campaigned on. I believe in teamwork and that's what I plan to do as mayor."

Simpson said prior to the election one of her main goals, if voted in, would be to work with the incoming council on all levels in relation to mutual respect, teamwork and good governance practices.

A major issue in the campaign was an on-going controversy relating to the effectiveness of the previous council to work together as a group.

She will be joined around the council table by incumbent councillors Jacques Laroche (323 votes) and Brian Grant (257 votes), as well as newcomers Paul Legere (356 votes) and Peter Seymour (232 votes). Karen Howell (328 votes) also returns to the table after taking a one-term absence.

Not succeeding in their bid for a council seat was Carl Gavel (190 votes), Amy Cronkhite (137 votes), Douglas Brown (126 votes) and Leslie Hawkes (99 votes).

Simpson said she enjoyed meeting with the voters in the weeks, and days, leading up to the May 12 vote.

Boulter, in a phone interview late Monday evening, said she extends congratulations to Simpson.

"It was a wonderful campaign," she said. "Going door-to-door to meet everyone was a treat. I guess, in my case, it wasn't meant to be this time. I thank everyone from the bottom of my heart and I wish Rowena the best of luck as Nackawic's new mayor. She's a great lady."