Benedetti falls in West Island election
Last Updated: Monday, November 2, 2009 | 7:29 AM ET
CBC News
Some West Island voters opted for change in Sunday's municipal election, ousting incumbent mayors in the demerged cities of Beaconsfield and Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue.
Bob Benedetti lost his mayor's seat in Beaconsfield in a landslide loss to former city councillor David Pollock, who earned 2,000 more votes.
In Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, incumbent Mayor Bill Tierney was upset by Francis Deroo.
Benedetti was surprised by his defeat at Pollock's hands.
"A lot of people flat out said they were going to vote for me," said the former television journalist, who entered municipal politics in the mid-1990s.
Public finances dominated the Beaconsfield mayoral campaign, with voters wanting better services for their tax dollars, Pollock said.
"I think we're going to focus on doing much better with what we have, and where possible, sharing services with other neighbouring communities," he told CBC News.
His other priority will be to resolve the demerged city's labour conflict with blue-collar workers, Pollock added.
He wouldn't say whether Beaconsfield councillors' salaries would be up for discussion.
Other demerged city results:
- Dollard-des-Ormeaux: Ed Janiszewski is re-elected mayor.
- Montreal West: Beny Masella succeeds outgoing mayor Campbell Stuart.
- Hampstead: William Steinberg defeats David Sternthal.
- Montreal-East: Robert Coutu defeats Yvon Labrosse.
- Senneville: George McLeish defeats Christopher Jackson.
- Mont-Royal: Very Danyluk beats André Krepec.
Demerged city mayors elected by acclamation:
- Marie Tutino, Baie-d'Urfé.
- Anthony Housefather, Côte-Saint-Luc.
- Edgar Rouleau, Dorval.
- John W. Meaney, Kirkland.
- Gisèle Chapleau, Dorval Island.
- Bill McMurchie, Pointe-Claire.
- Peter Trent, Westmount.
