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Christie re-elected as mayor in narrow race

In a very close mayoral race for Lacombe, Steve Christie has been re-elected by a margin of 63 votes against Grant Creasey
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BIG DAY - Mayoral candidates Grant Creasey and Steve Christie met after the forum on Oct. 16 to wish each other luck. Christie was re-elected as mayor on Monday.

In a very close mayoral race for Lacombe, Steve Christie has been re-elected by a margin of 63 votes against Grant Creasey, according to unofficial results.

“It’s awesome,” said Christie. “It’s a great feeling. I love doing what I do.”

Christie said that he is excited to work with the new team that is Lacombe City council.

He added he is happy to see incumbents Reuben Konnik, Wayne Rempel and Peter Bouwsema re-elected and is looking forward to working with the three new councillors Grant Harder, Bill McQuesten and Wayne Armishaw as well.

Christie also said he hopes he and council can carry on the momentum from last term and from this election to get to work right away.

“The closeness of this election has also got the heart going and the blood pumping and done anything but made me complacent.”

He added that his re-election means even more to him with the race being so close.

Elections can be stressful at times for anyone who is seeking re-election, said Christie.

He added that the rewards are worth the hard work and emotion put into the election and he is proud to be part of the process.

Christie also said getting re-elected is a huge relief and he will continue working to encourage more and more people to get involved in the political process.

“It is emotional. It is hard on one’s psyche for sure. Definitely it is an emotional roller-coaster.”

Calling his re-election a “Hard-fought victory” Christie commented on his opponent Creasey’s campaign, saying that the narrow margin was proof that Creasey and his team put strong effort into the campaign.

“It tells me that they ran a good race, they ran a good election and worked hard,” said Christie.

Creasey agreed.

“I think it was a very good showing,” he said. “Certainly not a runaway by any stretch of the imagination.”

Of course, Creasey said he would rather the numbers came up in a different order but was proud of his run for mayor and said that losing, as well as winning, is part of democracy.

“Naturally I’m disappointed. But that’s democracy at work.”

Creasey also has expressed desire to continue to be involved in committees and boards and Christie encouraged him to do so.

“We’d love to keep him involved,” said Christie.

Well-known for being outspoken in Council Chambers, Creasey said that it is important for council to remember that they can’t always be popular while making the right decision. He added that he hopes councillors will continue to speak up during council deliberations.

Christie agreed that Council Chambers are a place for councillors to speak their minds and said that discussion, not necessarily the votes they lead up to, are the most important part of the decision making process.

“I don’t think the vote itself is the important thing,” said Christie.

Some of the first priorities for Christie and the new council include the Wolf Creek Crossing and attracting more commercial business to Lacombe, which Christie noted received a lot of attention during the campaign, particularly at the forum on Oct. 16.

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