Hanover election sees most incumbents returning to govern RM, school division
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The Hanover School Division had an exciting election as residents re-elected three incumbents to lead the division for the next four years. Incumbents Jeff Friesen (Ward 1 with 850 votes); Shayne Barkman (Ward 2 with 814 votes); and Cheryl Froese (Ward 4 with 562 votes) are all returning to the boardroom as of press time.
“I’m very excited to represent Grunthal again. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to serve my community again. I might start crying, but, yes, I am so eager to serve the staff, the students and the families of Grunthal and I’m so thankful for the support they’ve shown,” said Froese, who won 85 percent of the vote.
New to the table and representing Ward 3 are Jeremy Neufeld (1,470 votes); Tess Doerksen (1,432 votes); Erin Williams (1,278 votes); and Josh Loewen (1,331 votes). Representing Ward 1 is Jenn Elliot (928 votes) and in Ward 2 Jacqueline Morgan (716 votes).
“I’m excited and I’m honoured that voters in Ward 3 have put their faith in me to be a voice on this board,” said Neufeld. “There’s going to be a lot to learn. It’ll take a lot of listening. It’s always easy as the outsider to look in and have all the answers, and once you start to look behind the curtain, you realize there’s a lot more going on than you’re aware of. So, I look forward to the challenge of learning this, taking this on, and doing the best I can to help represent our community and the kids that attend our schools.”
Early poll numbers for the Hanover School Division show more than 850 voters cast their ballots for school trustee at the Hanover School Division administration office, the highest advance voting turnout in the past four elections, according to election officer Rachel Klassen. The majority of ballots cast came from residents in Ward 3 (Steinbach).
RM of Hanover election
The RM of Hanover election saw all the incumbents returning except for Ward 4 Coun. Ed Penner.
“I think (the candidates) have done their due diligence, they went door knocking and the people have spoken and this is the outcome of the knocks on the door. I think we are very close to the average, like around 30 percent (voter turn out), like we were four years ago. This is just the outcome,” said Reeve Jim Funk.
Funk won by acclamation as did Couns. Brian Esau (Mitchell) and Curtis Dawydiuk (Grunthal). Coun. Darrin Warkentin (Ward 5) decided not to run in this election.
Travis Doerksen from Ward 1 (287 votes) and Roberto Hiebert from Ward 3 (302) won their seats against their opponents and will be returning to council chambers.
“It’s humbling. I feel good,” said Doerksen. “I mean, anytime you run an election, it’s a lot of hard work and energy. And, you know, we had quite a bit of help going out canvassing and talking to the people. And it was a lot of hard work and I’m very humbled and I’m ready to serve.”
New to council will be Wes Fehr from Ward 4 (275 votes) and Wendell Martens from Ward 5 (275 votes).
Early polls showed 109 people voted prior to election day for the RM of Hanover. This is similar to the number of advance voters that cast a ballot in 2022, according to election officer Lois Gresiuk.