Recount confirms Ramara election result

Mayor Basil Clarke holds on to narrow election victory

By Nathan Taylor OrilliaMatters

It’s official: Basil Clarke will remain mayor of Ramara Township.

A recount requested by Coun. Marg Sharpe, who challenged Clarke in last month’s election, was conducted Tuesday afternoon at the township offices in Brechin.

The results were the same: 2,126 to 2,112 in favour of Clarke.

Sharpe wasn’t surprised.

“I felt it was going to be the same,” she said. “It is what it is.”

She had initially considered further appeals, but decided against it.

“It’s getting too close to inauguration (of the new council), and council has to move forward,” she said. “I wish the new council all the best and lots of success because their success is all of our success.”

Sharpe, who is wrapping up her first term on council, said she plans to stay involved by joining township committees. She is also considering running again for election in 2022.

Like Sharpe, Clarke was not surprised by the results of the recount.

“I wasn’t there (for the recount) and I didn’t have a scrutineer because I didn’t see the point,” he said.

Now he can assure residents he is, in fact, the head of the local government.

“I’ve had people saying, ‘Are you the mayor yet?’ It’s because the recount had been requested,” he said.

Clarke added he is “looking forward to the next term” of council.