Aylmer recount called after 2-vote win
Voter turnout plunges 10 per cent
Last Updated: Monday, November 2, 2009 | 9:01 AM ET
CBC News
First-time candidate Stefan Psenak was barely edged out in Sunday night's election by Frank Thérien. Thérien was one of 12 members of the previous Gatineau city council who were re-elected, including Mayor Marc Bureau. They will be joined by seven new councillors.
Psenak is still holding out hope that he will be an eighth new face at city hall. He said he felt he ran an "astonishing" campaign, and heard from many people who wanted to help him.
"They felt like there needed a change for Aylmer. So we will see."
The next closest race was in the Bellevue district, where Sylvie Goneau squeaked by Mark Bordeleau with just eight votes more.
In the end, only 38 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot in the municipal election, down from 48 per cent in 2005.
When asked to explain the apparent apathy, returning mayor Bureau responded, "H1N1, maybe it's a factor — I don't really know."
