This Steve Pellegrini sign thanking King Township for making him their new mayor was posted at the intersection of 16th Sideroad and Keele Street. King Township is getting a new mayor, Steve Pellegrini.

Pellegrini, who has served as municipal councillor and chair of the King Blooms Committee, was not successful when he first ran for mayor back in 2006, losing to Margaret Black by about 500 votes. But all his hard work has finally paid off as he beat Black this time around by 577 votes.

According to unofficial figures supplied by the Township, Pellegrini collected 3,627 votes in Monday’s municipal elections, good for 48.82 per cent of the total cast. Black garnered 3,050 (41.06 per cent). Schomberg area resident Gord Craig got 456 votes (6.14 per cent) and outgoing councillor Jeff Laidlaw collected 296 (3.98 per cent).

There will also be new and familiar faces confronting the new mayor at the council table.

Mayoralty candidate Gordon Craig addressed supporters in his home after the election results were in Monday night. Cleve Mortelliti will be returning as Ward One councillor since he was acclaimed.

Former councillor Peter Grandilli will once again take the Ward 2 seat after garnering 693 votes (45.74 per cent), besting Jim Streb’s 635 (41.91 per cent) and Rene Bindi, who got 187 votes (12.34 per cent).

In Ward 3, Linda Pabst will once again take the seat as councillor after defeating Jeff Jackson and Judith Link. Pabst got 554 votes (61.08 per cent), while Jackson got 227 (25.03 per cent) and Link came in with 126 (13.89 per cent).

Bill Cober will be returning as Ward 4 councillor after beating Greg Locke. Cober garnered 1,256 votes (70.13 per cent) and Locke got 536 (29.87 per cent).

Debbie Schaefer won the right to occupy the Ward 5 after Jane Underhill vacated the position. Schaefer won 833 votes (65.49 per cent), beating out Paul Greco with 439 (34.51 per cent).

David Williams is King’s new representative on the York Region District School Board. Jack Rupke was frustrated in his efforts to retain his Ward 6 seat from newcomer Avia Eek. She took 350 votes (62.61 per cent), leaving Rupke with 209 (37.39 per cent).

Public school supporters in King are also going to have a new trustee. Dave Williams has been elected to represent King and Aurora on the York Region District School Board. He garnered 4,133 votes to 3,953 for incumbent Gord Kerr.

Schomberg resident Elizabeth Crowe was again acclaimed to represent King, Aurora and Whitchurch — Stouffville on the York Catholic District School Board.

Pellegrini was found celebrating at Waterstone Estate and Farms Equestrian Centre with family and friends.

Steve Pellegrini was thrilled to hear the news that he will become the King Township's next mayor. He held a victory party at Waterstone Estate and Farms Equestrian Centre and among the crowd celebrating was his wife Barbara and his five children Stephanie, 19, Ashley, 17, Emma, 10, Joseph and David, 6. Photo by David Anderson “It hasn’t sunk in yet that I am mayor-elect, but I would like to thank everybody who is in this room. I am so proud of them, they got me elected,” Pellegrini commented.

Pellegrini said his campaign had grown since the 2006 election.

“I have worked hard for the past three months,” he said. “It has shown.”

He said he was so proud that the township has entrusted its faith in him.

“I will work really hard for the Township,” he commented.

Among those celebrating at Pellegrini’s party were Underhill and Mortelliti.

“I think it’s a great result,” Mortelliti said. “I am happy with it, no matter what ward, the change we needed was for mayor. We’ve got a lot of issues we need to deal with.”

Underhill said Pellegrini’s winning was the best thing that could have happened.

“The majority is now on council and I believe King Township has chance for survival,” she explained.

Supporter Deborah Weiss had a lot of good things to say about Pellegrini.

“It’s a new day for King Township,” she declared. “Now King can truly flourish in the way it deserves.”

Though she lost, Black stayed optimistic.

“I would like to thank my incredible team, I would also like to thank my husband, sons and my sister,” Black commented.

She said she had an amazing campaign for the last 15 years.

“My heart goes out to everyone who helped me,” Black commented. “It’s a democracy and that’s what happens.”

Black said her past 15 years was fun.

“We got a lot of things done, it was a great experience,” she remarked. “This time around I didn’t win, but life goes on.”

Craig said his loss was just a case of that’s the way it is.

“I am very happy with my campaign,” he commented. “I got a lot of support from friends.”

He added he doesn’t regret a thing.

“I was looking for the votes, but the numbers showed the truth,” he concluded.

Laidlaw explained new council has ended up with a three-on-three alignment.

“It’s up to Steve to lead it,” he observed. “It’ll be interesting. There are some challenges, but I congratulate him,” he said.

Laidlaw added he accomplished what he set out to do.

“I brought issues to light and I managed to make them issues in council,” he commented. “I took some votes and I would like to thank the 296 brave people who voted for me.”

As for his future in politics, Laidlaw said he seriously doubts he will run again.

“I have spent 13 years in the political scene and I feel I am done with it,” he commented.

Grandilli was really excited he won.

“I am glad I am back on,” he declared. “It seems that the residents of Nobleton trust me. I will represent them proudly for the next four years and thank you for all the people who voted for me.”

Bindi said he was shocked at the poor turnout at the polls. As for running again, he said four years is a long time and he didn’t know what he would.

“Since Black lost I was shocked to see that, so I am not sure at this time if I will run again,” he commented.

Schaefer said she was very satisfied, saying she was happy and proud that the majority of her constituencies voted for her.

“I guess they liked what I was saying,” she commented.

She was also excited with Pellegrini winning.

“I am please we now have a mayor who will listen to the people of King Township,” she said.

Greco commented that he was happy to see a lot of people voting, but was disappointed in his loss and the change in mayor. He hoped that the people of King can stomach the change.

Link seemed upset, but stayed positive after the results were in.

“There’s a next time,” she said. “It’s been a roller coaster ride. It’s been a wonderful time.”

Cober said he was thrilled and honoured by the support he received in Ward 4.

“It is an honour to continue to support such a great community in King and the Township in a whole,” he commented.

Cober thanked his family, campaign team, all the supporters and volunteers who support their community.

He added he recognizes the residents of Township of King have elected new members of council.

“I will work hard to work together with the mayor and council to benefit the residents throughout King Township,” Cober said.

He added he worked hard throughout the campaign, and residents in the township shared their thoughts.

“I look forward to bring that collective to the council for the next four years,” Cober concluded.

He recognized the contributions the other councillors have made and it was honoured to serve with them.

Locke was both happy and distressed about the results.

“I am happy that Steve won because now the King Township has a proper leader,” he said.

As for losing, he said that people get the leadership they deserve or they get the leadership they elect.

“Tonight, the people got the leadership they deserve,” he remarked.

Eek said she was excited and happy with the results.

“I will make sure my ward has proper representation and I am so proud of the people who voted for me and I like to thank my family and friends,” she declared.

Rupke was not too thrilled with the results.

“The farmers will get what they voted for, thanks a lot,” he commented.

Jackson seemed to accept his lost. He first offered condolences to Pabst, and to her family, over the loss of her husband Burt (Mr. Pabst died Friday).

“I am really upset with what Linda is going through,” he said. “It has put a damper on the whole election, my heart goes out to her.”

As for losing, he said he was glad he ran.

“I’d rather try and fail and than not try at all,” Jackson explained.

As for running again, he said never say never.

“I had so much fun and because of that I don’t know I wouldn’t try again,” he commented.

Jackson thanked his family, friends and supporters who helped him throughout his campaign.