From the Portage Daily Graphic

Kam Blight is excited to be stepping into the role as the Rural Municipality of Portage la Prairie’s new reeve.

In a landslide victory on Wednesday evening, Blight won the race with 1,321 votes over the 553 votes garnered by incumbent Toby Trimble.

Blight was thrilled to find out he was the winner.

“I feel quite overwhelmed actually,” said Blight.

He said the night really was a surprise, especially since he couldn’t find out how the votes were going.

“We lost internet service and we kind of were out of touch for a long time,” Blight said with a laugh. “We were sitting here in the lurch, waiting.”

“We got a couple of phone calls at the end,” he added. “I didn’t think it would be that type of a margin. I am overwhelmed and thankful for all the support from all the people in the RM of Portage la Prairie.”

Kam said he thinks voters were ready for a change when so many voted for him.

Toby Trimble said he was rather sad to hear he was not successful in trying to keep his position as reeve of the RM.

“It’s a little disappointing,” he said. “But that is what our elections are all about. I am proud of what council achieved over the last few years. I have no regrets about what we have done in the past.”

He acknowledged council’s efforts to move ahead with the PCU Centre, while trying to please the ratepayers was a challenge.

“It was difficult, but the PCU Centre is there and I think we can all be proud of it,” said Trimble has been on council for the past 15 years with the last four years serving as reeve.

Trimble said he called Blight when he heard the results to wish him the best in his new position.

Blight said now that he is the new reeve he will be looking at what some of the priorities are for the upcoming year.

“I do definitely want to increase the communication levels between the ratepayers and the RM office, to make sure everybody knows exactly what we are doing,” he said from his home in the Oakville area Wednesday night.

“I would love to start tackling some of the drainage issues. As you can see, out here there is a lot of water lying around.”

Blight’s wife Krista was by his side when he won and was excited with the news.

“I am very happy for Kam,” she said. “He has obviously impressed some people and done well.”

For the race for reeve, there was 36 per cent turn out of the eligible 5,227 voters in the entire RM.

Election night was also an exciting time for the race for the RM councillor seats being contended.

In Ward 1, incumbent Garth Asham won the seat on council with a total of 222 votes, beating his contender Ian Holmes who received 88 votes. There was 47 per cent voter turnout of the 661 eligible to vote in this ward.

“I would like to thank the voters who have the confidence in me and in having the confidence in voting for me again and supporting me,” said Asham. “I would also like to thank my family for supporting me too.”

In Ward 6, Dale Wood garnered 229 votes, beating out incumbent Owen Williams who received 137 votes. There was 47 per cent voter turnout of the 775 eligible to vote for this ward.

Wood was pleased with the results.

“I went out and talked to all the people,” he said of his campaign. “It worked out very well.”

In Ward 7, Kevin Blight won against his challenger Barry McNaughton. Kevin took 276 votes, while McNaughton received 111 votes. The ward saw 45 per cent voter turnout of the 864 eligible to vote.

“I am really happy the voters supported me,” Kevin said. “We had a team of people working towards this goal, and everything came together.”