Berry Vrbanovic elected Kitchener mayor
Ward 2 Councillor Berry Vrbanovic has been elected as the next mayor of Kitchener, succeeding Carl Zehr, who did not run for re-election.
Unofficial election results from the City of Kitchener show that Vrbanovic received 61.02 per cent of the vote, leading by a margin of 15,006 votes over second-place candidate Dan Glenn-Graham.
"To be honest the day started very early. I woke up shortly before 3 [a.m.]. I couldn't sleep," said Vrbanovic, celebrating his win. "I truly am honoured and humbled to have received such a great deal of support from the residents of Kitchener and I'm really looking forward to tomorrow, rolling up my sleeves and getting to work in a transition between now and the new council that takes over December 1st."
Vrbanovic said he'd be meeting with Zehr and Kitchener's CAO to discuss a transition plan over the next five weeks.
"I'll also be reaching out to the new members of council, those re-elected as well as the new members to find out what their priorities are...The number one priority will be making sure I understand what everybody is bringing forward from all ten members," said Vrbanovic.
Prior to being elected mayor, Vrbanovic served as a city councillor for 10 years.
Below are the newly elected Kitchener ward councillors:
- Ward 1: Scott Davey (incumbent)
- Ward 2: Dave Schnider
- Ward 3: John Gazzola (acclaimed)
- Ward 4: Yvonne Fernandes (incumbent)
- Ward 5: Kelly Galloway-Sealock (incumbent)
- Ward 6: Paul Singh (incumbent)
- Ward 7: Bil Ioannidis (incumbent)
- Ward 8: Zyg Janecki (incumbent)
- Ward 9: Frank Etherington (incumbent)
- Ward 10: Sarah Marsh