Ward 5 has new councillor-elect and Robert Thomson has already started working for the people.
Thomson spoke to BarrieToday late Monday night and apologized for not being able to meet for a picture as he wasn’t really dressed to pose for photos.
“I’m actually out right now collecting my signs so the residents don’t have to look at them when they wake up,” Thomson said. “I’m in my sweats and going as fast as I can, but I am very happy with the results and I think the people of Ward 5 spoke up.”
It isn’t easy defeating an incumbent, let alone a two-term incumbent, but that’s exactly what Thomson did in Ward 5 on Monday night.
Thomson won the ward on the city’s west end quite handily with 55.22 per cent of the vote, beating incumbent Peter Silveira by 413 votes.
The ward’s results wound up as Thomson with 55.22 per cent, Silveira with 38.39, Brandon Cassidy at 3.55 and Harry Ahmed with 2.85.
Voter turnout was low in the ward, similar to what happened around the city. Cassidy had earlier in the race said that he would not be posting signs or handing out literature, while on Oct. 5, Ahmed was charged with extortion by Barrie police.
Thomson ran in 2014 and finished fourth in a six-person race, but said he had a feeling this time would be different right from the start.
“I really did feel good about this campaign, although I came into this knowing it’s obviously difficult to defeat an incumbent,” said Thomson. “I just did what I felt needed to be done and I knocked on every door I could.
"Sometimes it was darker out with the time change and I’m pretty big guy, so I felt bad for the folks who opened a door wondering 'Who is this guy?' But I spoke to the many residents and truly heard them out.”
Thomson has told BarrieToday the most important parts of being a city councillor is listening to the constituents, a trait he plans on doing when he gets to city hall in December.
“I plan on listening and learning, for sure,” said Thomson. “There are things that I will need to learn and know for that first council sitting, for sure, but I am ready. And while I plan on listening, Ward 5 should know I’m also going to speak on their behalf as well.
"I am very excited to get started.”
Silveira could not be reached for comment.
