After a tight election race that saw about 35 per cent of Beiseker’s electors take to the polls, Nikki King was announced the winner of the April 18 byelection by margin of only seven votes.
King received 71 of the 161 votes cast while Victor Lemcky trailed closely behind at 64, Kurtis Lyczewski with 22 and Mykle Lambert with four.
“It was a very hard-won race, especially with such a slim margin,” King said. “(The election) was a good opportunity to get a chance to go around and actually speak to citizens in the town.”
With the full intention of running in the October 2017 municipal election, King said campaigning was already on her mind when Dave McKenzie resigned from his position on council to accept the Public Works foreman position Feb. 10.
With years of experience in profit loss statements, financial reports and cost cutting, King said she is curious to explore the ways in which the current operations are being run. She said she is hoping to bring a keen eye to the table, especially when it comes to the budget.
“It’s definitely in the Village’s best interest that we maintain below our budget,” King said. “We need to find some ways to start saving some money and make sure that (it) is being spent in the right direction and getting a good return.”
Beiseker Mayor Ray Courtman said he was not only pleased with the quality of the candidates who wanted to get involved with council, but was also pleased to see the number of engaged voters who showed up to make a decision April 18.
“In small communities like ours we need lots of participation,” he said. “I think we got that and that’s what I like to see.”
With a plan to retire from municipal politics in October 2017, Courtman said he felt at ease after the candidates forum because he knows there are strong individuals who will one day pick up where he left off and bring a bright future to Beiseker.
“We’ve got some up and comings there,” Courtman said of the candidates. “All four of them would make good councillors.”
King was to be sworn into her position as councillor at the upcoming Town Hall meeting April 25, but an unexpected business trip has called her away, according to a blog post written by Courtman on April 21.
The short ceremony will take place during the May 9 regularly scheduled council meeting at the Village Office.
“You are all most welcome to come and observe the ceremony there, although seating will be very limited,” Courtman wrote.
