Emotions were high from supporters at Keenan Aylwin’s victory party at Flying Monkey’s Craft Brewery on Monday night.
Aylwin won the Ward 2 council seat with 42.04% of the vote.
“I’m very emotional, too,” said Aylwin. “Something I’ve learned while knocking on doors during this campaign is that so many people feel disconnected from politics and the political process. So many people feel fed up with the political process and feel like their vote doesn’t matter.
“I think what we’ve shown tonight is that it really does matter, and you can make a difference.”
Aylwin feels honoured to be chosen by Ward 2 residents.
“I’m proud. I’m proud of our team. Especially in the last week, we’ve worked really hard to reach people who traditionally don’t participate,” he said, adding that the biggest issue he wants to deal with right off the bat is the housing crisis. “We went out to every social housing complex and low-income neighbourhoods, we checked the voters list and we went after people who really feel disconnected from politics.
"I think that’s what we need, because these are the people who politics affects the most.”
Aylwin is also proud to be the first openly gay sitting councillor in Barrie.
“Representation matters, and I think it just shows how ready our community is for fresh ideas and a fresh approach to politics. People are sick of the old boys club. It’s a big step, and it shouldn’t be discounted,” he said.
Aylwin’s father, Randy Aylwin, owns the Grilled Cheese Social Eatery in Barrie’s downtown. As such, Aylwin would have to recuse himself from council votes involving Barrie’s downtown businesses in accordance with the Municipal Act and the Code of Conduct.
When asked about this conflict on Monday night, Aylwin was candid.
“People need to be able to trust their representatives. That is vital. I cannot be involved in any decision that directly affects businesses downtown. I’m committed to keeping that integrity intact,” he said. “But, as the Ward 2 councillor, businesses are a part of our downtown so I have to be involved in the conversations in some way. I’m committed to being open and honest with people about every relationship that I have.”
Aylwin’s straight-edge approach seemed to go over well with Ward 2 voters. He made a point throughout the campaign to not get involved in dirty politics and stick to the issues that he feels matter the most.
“I think that’s something we really brought to the table: to remind people that politics isn’t a game. It’s not, it’s about real people’s lives,” he said.
“The decisions we make can even have a life or death impact.”
Incumbent councillor Rose Romita watched the results at city hall on Monday night and wished Aylwin well with his upcoming term.
“Ward 2 is the ward to watch,” said Romita. “It’s so diverse. You get so many people wanting intensification, and you get people saying they don’t want intensification.
“You want to listen to everybody’s concerns, but you can’t please everybody. That’s going to be a very hard balancing act.”
As Romita has spent the last four years in the Ward 2 seat, she has advice for Aylwin.
“Be ready to do the juggling act,” she said.
Now that Romita will have more spare time, she intends to focus on her own business.
“I have a couple different things that I diddle in,” she said. “I do catering and I also sell mortgages. I want to help seniors stay in their own homes by doing reverse mortgages.”
Romita is proud of the work she put in during her four years at the council table.
“We’ve approved a lot of buildings. Meridian Square is all done, the farmer’s market and moving the bus terminal. There’s still a lot to be done as well,” she said.
“We had really good candidates in Ward 2,” said Romita.
“I just hope that (Aylwin) fulfills what he said he’s going to do. Or, I’ll hold his feet to the fire,” she said with a laugh.
Ward 2 final results
Keenan Aylwin 1,766 / 42.04%
Richard Forward 1,359 / 32.35%
Yolanda Gallo 199 / 4.74%
Rose Romita 877 / 20.68%
