Norfolk County’s next council will feature a mix of returning councillors and new representatives, with one seat still unresolved following a tie in Ward 4.
Unofficial results show incumbents retaining their seats in Wards 1, 2, 5 and 7.
New representatives were elected in Wards 3 and 6, along with a newcomer filling Ward 5’s second seat.
Ward 1: Tom Masschaele
Tom Masschaele defeated Greg D’Hulster to retain the seat representing Port Rowan, St. Williams and surrounding rural communities.
Masschaele received 1,083 votes, or 52.73 per cent, while D’Hulster received 971 votes, or 47.27 per cent — a margin of 112 votes.
Masschaele noted the tight race and thanked the community for voting him back in.
Masschaele emphasized ensuring smaller communities are heard at council, supporting local businesses and reviewing spending on outside consultants.
He also raised concerns about how automated garbage collection serves rural areas.
Ward 2: Linda Vandendriessche
Linda Vandendriessche defeated Debbie Wilbur to return as Ward 2 councillor.
Vandendriessche received 980 votes, or 62.03 per cent, compared with 600 votes, or 37.97 per cent, for Wilbur.
Vandendriessche was very thankful.
Her campaign priorities included expanding the tax base through agribusiness, food processing and manufacturing, while using land already zoned for development. She also supported downtown revitalization and keeping all five Norfolk arenas open.
Ward 3: Hetty Verlinden
Hetty Verlinden won the three-candidate race to replace longtime councillor Michael Columbus, who did not seek re-election.
Verlinden received 1,213 votes, or 55.57 per cent.
Doug Moyaert finished second with 515 votes, or 23.59 per cent, followed by Chris Gill with 455 votes, or 20.84 per cent.
Verlinden said it was a wave of emotions at the first preliminary results came in showing her at the bottom before she skyrocketed to the top.
Verlinden supported commercial and industrial investment connected to agriculture, growth within existing communities and assistance for downtown entrepreneurs. She also highlighted the importance of rural recreation facilities.
Ward 5: Alan Duthie and Ryan Boyko
Incumbent Alan Duthie and newcomer Ryan Boyko secured Ward 5’s two seats in a field of 10 candidates.
Boyko will fill the seat vacated by Doug Brunton, who ran for mayor, and is excited to get to work.
We asked Boyko what he plans to do once officially sworn in.
Duthie expressed gratitude to the community for their continued support.
He also wanted to acknowledge the other candidates.
Looking at the results, Duthie is excited for what the next four years have to offer.
Duthie led with 2,210 votes, followed by Boyko with 1,900.
Mike Storoschuk finished third with 1,569 votes, leaving Boyko 331 votes ahead for the second seat.
Dennis Travale received 845 votes, followed by Peter Black with 612, Bob Townsend with 589, Quentin Dixon with 391, Krissi Wiseman with 322, Kevin Allen with 266 and Princess Peace with 151.
Duthie and Boyko both supported higher-density housing but differed on other issues.
Duthie backed continuing the Municipal Accommodation Tax and supporting Ride Norfolk, while Boyko opposed the accommodation tax in its current form and called for transit improvements and substantially higher taxes on vacant commercial properties.
Ward 6: Zvonko Horvat
Zvonko Horvat won the four-candidate race to replace Adam Veri, who was elected mayor.
Horvat received 1,810 votes, or 41.64 per cent.
Bill Jukes finished second with 1,218 votes, or 28.02 per cent, followed by Pam Taylor with 1,138 votes, or 26.18 per cent, and Ray Hunter with 181 votes, or 4.16 per cent.
Horvat was not available on election night, but during the debate in Port Dover he did lay out his priorities, noting how they align with what he has heard from the community.
Horvat campaigned on using his experience with Norfolk OPP and Aylmer Police to scrutinize municipal spending, while advocating a stronger focus on tourism.
Ward 7: Kim Huffman
Kim Huffman defeated Warren Cummings to retain the Ward 7 seat.
Huffman received 1,694 votes, or 68.69 per cent, while Cummings received 772 votes, or 31.31 per cent.
She is excited to go back and represent everyone in her ward.
Huffman highlighted her council experience and community connections during the campaign.
She defended Waterford’s water infrastructure and supported the approved council compensation increase as a way to make municipal office accessible to more people.
Ward 4: Recount to follow exact tie
Ward 4 remains undecided, with Jeni Lambert and incumbent Chris Van Paassen each receiving 858 votes, or 40.36 per cent. Drew Hemsley received 410 votes, or 19.29 per cent.
A recount will take place. Our newsroom is awaiting clarification from Norfolk County about the local process and what would happen if the candidates remain tied.
The result underscores the importance of casting a ballot: one additional vote for either leading candidate would have separated them.
All results remain unofficial pending confirmation by the Norfolk County Clerk.
We will provide further updates as information becomes available.
