Steve Backman will become St. Stephen’s next mayor in a landslide victory.
The Courier has called the election for Backman with 2,132 votes.
Three candidates campaigned for the position, including Mark Groleau with 356 votes and Joyce Wright with 313 votes.
It was one of several elections in Charlotte County that saw no incumbent mayors reoffer. The Municipal District of St. Stephen (MDSS) has faced issues around the housing crisis — including a rising number of people experiencing homelessness.
The community has raised concerns about public safety, which has prompted calls and a judicial review for the relocation of the shelter outside of municipal boundaries.
Staff from MDSS have also warned about significant infrastructure issues within the municipality’s potable water system.
“I’m feeling very excited but now actually a little nervous because this was an incredibly strong mandate,” he said speaking to The Courier.
Backman said the next steps will require balance between the rural and urban wards, noting the changes to the zoning bylaw. In the urban areas, he noted public safety and the homelessness crisis.
He said the community desired change.
“They’ve given us a clear mandate to pursue that change,” he said. “They want more transparency. They wanted to be more involved in the community’s direction.”
Backman is a former veterinarian and has served as the president of the Charlotte County Hospital Foundation, raising millions for hospital equipment, including a CT scanner.
The new council hopes to hit the ground running, he explained, and are eager to get to work.
Chandra Best had 812 votes, Wade Greenlaw had 798 votes and Justin Wesselink had 632 votes, who will represent Ward 1. Mark Howard Porter had 1,016 votes, Bernedette Cunningham had 851 votes and Steve Morgan had 634 votes, and will represent Ward 2.
