Sturgeon County councillors took their seats this week with only slight differences than before the election.
After last week’s election councillors took the oath of office from Morinville RCMP staff Sgt. Mac Richards on Tuesday morning.
There is only one new face on Sturgeon council, Division 4 Coun. Dave Kluthe.
Mayor Don Rigney and councillors Karen Shaw, Don McGeachy and Tom Flynn were all acclaimed to their positions. Councillors Joe Milligan and Ken McGillis both defeated challengers to regain their seats.
Kluthe said Tuesday that he was glad to have the election behind him, so he can dive right into work.
“Now that it is out of the way we can get right at it.”
Kluthe won the seat in a very tight race with a margin of victory of just seven votes over Al Homeniuk.
After considering his position, Homeniuk did ask for a recount, but the results were unchanged.
With the totals at 347 to 340 Homeniuk said he felt compelled to make sure.
“You are pretty much obligated to and so I did, and the results were the same.”
Outgoing councillor Jerry Kaup was given a small gift for his years of service, as well as the name plaque from the front of his desk.
Kaup served on council for 18 years and Rigney thanked him for everything he had done for the community.
“You have added a great deal to this community and made it a wonderful place to live, work and play for our citizens.”
Kaup said he would miss many things about being a councillor, but was also ready to retire.
“I will miss the camaraderie of council and the good discussions that we have had.”
Kaup noted that Kluthe was about the same age now as he was when he first won a seat at the council table in 1992.
He said he believed council would have a lot of work ahead, but he was confident they would be up to the challenge.
“I wish you the best of luck because there will be some big challenges ahead.”
