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By Angela Ferguson

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Gary Thomas will return to the mayor's seat in Centreville later this month after defeating challenger Debbie Thomas by 87 votes.

Gary brings 19 years of experience to the table, having worked on council since 1989.

"I've been mayor for seven years," he added. "And the seven years I was mayor I went in by acclamation, and I think it's really an honour to have been chosen through the election."

He will be joined by a council of familiar faces as incumbents Kathryn Davenport, Robert Lee and Jason McCormick work with him in leading the village for another four years.

Gary said he feels "quite lucky" to be working with the same council.

"We've always worked great together, and I think we've accomplished a lot of things in the past seven years, and I'm very happy with that.

"I'd like to thank the people for believing in me and our council and it's been an honour and a privilege to serve the people of Centreville, and when we get sworn in again we'll be back to business."

Gary said he's not sure when the first council meeting will be held, but believes the earliest possible date is May 26. He added that instead of pursuing any changes for this term it will be "business as usual."

Challenger Debbie Thomas said she believes council does need to make a few changes, which include more openness, transparency, accountability, and keeping people informed and involved in their decision-making process.

Although Debbie did not secure the mayoral vote, she plans on remaining active in the community by attending town council meetings and keeping up-to-date on how council handles issues.

"They're supposed to be in consultation with and accountable to the citizens, and I want to make sure that happens," she explained. "I see the way things are done and it's not right. I think the people need to be more informed and we're not. I'm a very honest person, and I feel that people have the right to know what's going on and not be kept in the dark."

The life-long Centreville resident, who was "surprised" by the outcome of the election, said she will run for council again in the future.

"I am very disappointed," she added. "But the people have made their decision, their choice, so now they're going to have to live with it.

"(Gary) knocked on the same doors as I did, and I hope he addresses all the concerns that I heard."

Out of 406 eligible voters in the village, only 268 people – or 66.01 per cent – filled out ballots. Gary Thomas earned 177 votes, while Debbie Thomas received 90. The three returning councillors had a total of 637 votes with Davenport earning 231, Lee receiving 210 and McCormick earning 196. Fellow candidate Jane Staples MacDonald received 123 votes.

Gary said the council's main priority is to make sure the soccer field is completed at Centreville Community School (CCS) – a joint project with the village, CCS staff and parents.