Dusty Scott wins mayoral race in Erin
Newcomer Tracey Wallace elected, joins incumbent councillors Cathy Aylard, John Brennan, Jamie Cheyne
ERIN – Dusty Scott was in a state of disbelief when it was first announced he would be the new mayor in the Town of Erin.
"It feels great being elected. I'm definitely proud and grateful," said Scott on Tuesday morning.
"I'm still speechless. It still hasn't set in 100 per cent."
Scott received 2,151 votes (45%), defeating Rob Smith, who had 1,893 votes (39.7%), and incumbent Michael Dehn, who had 729 (15.3%).
"Democracy rules in Canada and the voters decided they wanted a change," said Dehn. "I think Dusty is a great choice."
The four councillors elected are incumbents Cathy Aylard (2,972 votes), John Brennan (2,519) and Jamie Cheyne (2,176) and newcomer Tracey Wallace (2,258).
Brennan, a longtime councillor, told the Advertiser he is "grateful that the people have put their trust in me once again.”
He added, “This will be my sixth term so hopefully people think doing something right.”
Brennan thanked all candidates for running, noting their efforts “give us probably the most precious thing in democracy – the right to choose."
Wallace will be the only new councillor in the coming term but said she will settle into the role quickly.
"I know everybody I'm working with," she said. "So I'm happy to work with all of them."
Unsuccessful candidates for councillor included Sunjay Bedi (1,833 votes), Sid Spear (1,803), Benita Raponi (1,112), Alex Zaichuk (943) and Sukhchain Gill (276).
Voter turnout was 39.5% in Erin this election, up from 36.1% in 2022.
