Guy (Beastie) Rideout admits he is surprised to be Flin Flon’s newest city councillor.
Rideout won Wednesday’s by-election with 65 per cent of the vote in a two-way race with Colleen Arnold.
“It was surprising a little bit, and exciting,” he said of the results shortly after they became available.
Rideout garnered 335 votes out of 514 cast, compared to 179 for Arnold. The by-election saw 12 per cent of eligible voters cast ballots.
Rideout was quick to say that Arnold was a strong candidate and would have made a good councillor.
Asked whether he feels prepared to join council, he said Wednesday evening he was still “in a little bit of surprise mode” but that it wouldn’t take long for him to adjust to his new duties.
Rideout, who recently retired as manager of the Whitney Forum, said he will bring a different perspective to council and hopes to help move the community forward one step at a time.
Arnold offered her congratulations to Rideout, saying both candidates shared similar causes.
She applauded all voters for making their voices heard and announced plans to run in the next general council election in 2018.
During his campaign, Rideout said his priorities included affordable seniors’ housing, support for local culture and events, sustainable recycling and beautification initiatives, and crime reduction through engagement of community partners.
He said he also wanted to grow opportunities for businesses and attract more entrepreneurs and investment. And he favoured expanded and improved recreational options.
Like Arnold, Ride-out said he was concerned about homelessness in Flin Flon.
Rideout is to be sworn in as council’s seventh member this Tuesday, June 7. He will fill the seat left vacant by Leslie Beck’s resignation earlier this year.
Flin Flon’s last council by-election in 1997 yielded a 15 per cent turnout.
