Breen takes mayor's seat in St. John's, new faces voted in as councillors

Danny Breen is the new mayor of St. John's.

The city's Ward 1 councillor for eight years, he handily defeated challengers Andy Wells and Renee Sharpe.

"It feels fantastic," Breen said. "This has been a long campaign, I've been working on it for a number of months and it's been tough. But we had a plan, we stuck to our plan and we put our plan out to the people of the city and, obviously, they've approved of my plan to move forward."

"I think people wanted the message of hope, and the message of optimism, positivity," said Breen. "I think we have a lot to be thankful for here in St. John's and I think we can be even greater."

Breen will serve with Sheilagh O'Leary as deputy mayor.

New faces

Only five councillors elected sat on the previous council. Debbie Hanlon, elected as a councillor at large, wasn't on the last council, but she has sat on council before.

The other five people heading to city hall have no political experience at all.

Deanne Stapleton took Breen's old post in Ward 1. Hope Jamieson defeated Jonathan Galgay for Ward 2. Olympic gold medalist Jamie Korab, a curler, won in Ward 3, and Ian Froude won Ward 4.

Wally Collins, the only incumbent ward councillor, returns to Ward 5.

Maggie Burton, also new to city hall, joins council veterans Dave Lane, Sandy Hickman and Debbie Hanlon in the councillor at large positions.

The new face of city council is also a lot younger than the last: three new councillors — Burton, Froude, and Jamieson — are under the age of 35.

"When you have new councillors coming in we have to do some work in terms of orientation," said Breen. "But we have to do it quickly and they have to come up to speed. And certainly as mayor, one of my roles is to be a mentor for new councillors and to help them get prepared to help represent the city."

Mount Pearl

In Mount Pearl, Dave Aker defeated Travis Faulkner for the mayor's seat. Bill Antle, Isabelle Fry, Andrew Ledwell, Jim Locke, Andrea Power and Lucy Stoyles were all elected to council.

The results for the other municipalities in the northeast Avalon are as follows:

Paradise

Dan Bobbett has defeated John Roberts for mayor.

Councillors are Elizabeth Laurie, Allan English, Deborah Quilty, Paul Dinn, Patrick Martin and Sterling Willis

Torbay

Mayor: Craig Scott (acclaimed)

Councillors: Tina Appleby, Mary Thorne-Gosse, Geoff Gallant, Justin Martin, Tony Pollard, Peggy Roche

Conception Bay South

Mayor: Terry French (acclaimed)

Councillors: Darrin Bent (Ward 1), Junior Bursey (Ward 2), Gerard Tilley (Ward 3), Richard Murphy (Ward 4), Cheryl Davis (at large), Rex Hillier (at large), Kirk Youden (at large), Christine Butler (at large)

Portugal Cove - St. Philip's

Mayor: Carol McDonald

Councillors: Johnny Hanlon, Darryl Harding, Jeff Laham, Tina Neary, Dave Bartlett, Madonna Stewart-Sharpe

Logy Bay - Middle Cove - Outer Cove

Mayor: results not yet released

Council (all acclaimed): Andrew Boland, James Cadigan, Bradley Power, Brian Roche, James Rose, Karen Todhunter

Pouch Cove

Mayor: Joedy Wall (acclaimed)

Councillors: Marlene Carroll, Todd Vaters, Danny Connors, Scott Nichols, Mark Vardy, Greg King

Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove

Mayor: Sam Lee

Councillors: Lynn Hearn, Harry Chafe, David Green, Kimberly Orren, Rick Raymond (all acclaimed).

Bauline

Mayor is chosen at first council meeting

Councillors: Craig LeGrow, Joanne Whalen, Carol King, Chris Palmer, Ralph LeGrow

Holyrood

Mayor: Gary Goobie

Councillors: Curtis Buckle, Kevin Costello, Kim Ghaney, Jim Joy, Sadie King, Roger Myette

Wabana

Mayor: Gary Gosine

Councillors: Norman Newman, Jordan Blackwood, Henry Crane, Bill Peddle, Ben Warford, Roy Bennett, Sherrill Ruckert

The councils in Witless Bay, Flatrock and Bay Bulls were all acclaimed.