Councillor Maggie Horsfield, who made an incredible municipal election run to top the polls in North Bay and become deputy mayor, is the 2022 Newsmaker of the Year as voted by BayToday readers.
The rookie politician stunned the field of 28 candidates by finishing first, and proving that North Bay voters wanted change in the way the city is run, including greater transparency.
It comes on the heels of North Bay being named the most secretive municipality in Canada in 2021.
Women took the top three spots in the October election, a first for North Bay.
"Thank you to all those who voted in the BayToday.ca poll for Newsmaker of the Year," Horsfield said of her win. "I appreciate your vote of support and will continue to represent and advocate for the best interests of our community.
"My heartfelt thank you to everyone who voted in the North Bay municipal election, I am humbled and honoured to have received your support. In 2022, I had the opportunity to learn and engage with the citizens of North Bay. I heard loud and clear the hopes and aspirations for the future of our City and I promise to work hard each and every day to move our City forward. I encourage anyone who wants to share their feedback and ideas about how we can work together as a community to reach out."
In total, 1,053 votes were cast in the BayToday poll.
Horsfield received 205 votes or 19.47 per cent of the total.
Finishing in second was Jess Larochelle, an Afghanistan war hero deserving of the Victoria Cross who got 117 votes or 11 per cent.
Efforts are underway to have a Canadian Victoria Cross awarded to Private Larochelle of Restoule. His actions while serving in Afghanistan over 15 years ago with the First Battalion of The Royal Canadian Regiment led to the campaign by Valour in the Presence of the Enemy to have the Star of Military Valour he received upgraded to Canada’s highest military honour, the Canadian Victoria Cross.
Taking third spot is Mayor Peter Chirico, becoming the top dog at City Hall in the municipal election, after a stint as Chamber of Commerce president. Chirico is also a former deputy mayor.
Chirico received 106 votes or 10 per cent of the votes.
"We won and I am very pleased to be the mayor-elect in the city of North Bay. I look forward to it in so many different ways," he told BayToday on election night.
Chirico defeated councillor Johanne Brousseau, and newcomer Leslie McVeety in a three-way race.
See the complete results here.
