Josh Matlow takes Ward 22
[attach]2614[/attach]The battle for Ward 22 is over and school board trustee Josh Matlow has come out on top.
Matlow won with 11,892 votes while Chris Sellors came second with 8,037 votes.
At his victory celebration councillor elect-Matlow, surrounded by supporters including his wife Melissa, father Ted Matlow and his mom Elaine Mitchell, expressed his gratitude to all those who helped him during the campaign.
“I am deeply appreciative,” Josh Matlow told the Town Crier tonight after his victory speech. “I woke up this morning knowing I was going to win because of the response we had at the door.
“I didn’t take it for granted, but we worked hard. I am so excited to get to work.”
Matlow will be replacing outgoing St. Paul’s Councillor Michael Walker, who is retiring after 28 years at city hall.
[attach]2615[/attach]The Town Crier spoke to second-place finisher Sellors before enough of the votes had been counted to declare a winner. At the time he was surprised to be behind.
“I felt my message was resonating,” he told the Town Crier. “When I was walking through the neighbourhoods people said, ‘I am voting for you or I voted for you.’
“If I am not successful tonight, I am at a loss.”
Twenty-two year old ward resident William Molls ran an impressive campaign and was often praised by his competitors, media and residents for his articulate and thoughtful focus on local issues.
But he was disappointed he came fourth behind third place finisher Elizabeth Cook, polling only 869 votes.
[attach]2616[/attach]“I still consider tonight a victory,” said Molls, a web and graphic designer. “I am blown away by the support I received, by the people who came out and volunteered for our campaign. The support we received for our campaign was tremendous. I blown away by the people who came out and donated resources to our campaign.”
“I am not going anywhere,” said the local resident. “I’ll still be an advocate in Ward 22 and I look forward to working with Josh (Matlow) as our next councillor. I think he will do a terrific job.”