By Greg Higgins

Down to the wire; Lindgren squeaks out final seat

Oct 27, 2016 | 2:00 PM

By the time the last poll was posted last night, Kent Lindgren could barely look at the results.

The new councillor described the situation as he and Cathy Richardson jostled for the sixth and final chair on North Battleford city council during civic elections last night. The two experienced four lead changes over the final four poll updates, with Lindgren ultimately winning by just 11 votes.

“My stomach was turning and I was trying to avoid looking at the results near the end,” Lindgren said. “It was tough to watch. It was good to have my family and friends around to take some of the edge off.”

Lindgren was at his parents’ house with his supporters and had a friend at city hall relaying results to him. He said once the final poll came out he was very excited, yet overwhelmed, to see he would be on council for the next four years.

Lindgren believed the community voted him in because he works from “positions of strength and positivity.” He said his platform focused on celebrating things the city does well and opposed to dwelling on the negatives.

Fond Memories

North Stars' 20-year-olds reflect on junior hockey experience: Part 2

8h ago

Fond Memories

North Stars' 20-year-olds reflect on junior hockey experience: Part 1

Apr 18, 2024

Trades in Sask.

Skilled trades need not limited to building homes

Apr 17, 2024

This is the first political position Lindgren has held and admited he has to figure out the ropes.

“The first thing I have to do is find out the specifics and the process of council,” Lindgren said. “We also have to create a team that can move forward and work together. It isn’t one person on their own. We need to have dialogue and create change.”

The 11 vote loss reminded Richardson of the 2012 election when she barely squeaked into the sixth chair. She beat incumbent Ron Crush by six votes to earn her spot. Regardless of the close vote, she said she isn’t bitter.

“I couldn’t have been replaced by a better person,” Richardson said. “Kent had my vote. Four of those votes came from my household. I am thrilled he is on council. There are six really good people on council and everyone running was great. I feel very fortunate being number seven.”

Richardson thanked the community for all of the support she received and said she is confident in acclaimed Mayor Ryan Bater. She expects North Battleford to continue to grow and prosper and although she isn’t on council, Richardson stated she is “in council’s corner.”

Greg Higgins is battlefordsNOW’s city municipal affairs and health reporter. He can be reached at ghiggins@jpbg.ca or tweet him @realgreghiggins.