A close race has ended, and three-term city councillor Martin Ritsma has been elected mayor of Stratford.
Ritsma beat out two other contenders for outgoing mayor Dan Mathieson’s vacant seat.It’s the first time Stratford will have a new mayor in 19 years.
“I’m so humbled by the residents of Stratford,” Ritsma said.
Ritsma received 4,350 votes, or 37.8 per cent of all ballots cast, according to the City of Stratford.
He has been part of council for 12 years, serving two terms as deputy mayor.
Ritsma said the first item on his to-do list is to get acquainted with his new councillors. It’s also a top priority for him to address Stratford’s housing crisis and said he’s already in talks with developers and the province.
“If council supports the idea of us coming forward with land as part of the partnership then we can dedicate a kind of made-in-Stratford approach to housing,” he said. “Because if you’re at the table with land, then you’re at the table to make a sure decision.”
Ritsma added that he wants to see Stratford continue to be a quality mix of tourism, agriculture and industry.
Robert Ritz came in second with 4,005 votes, or 34.8 per cent of the vote, followed by Kathy Vassilakos with 3,166 votes, or 27.5 per cent of the vote.
He will take over as mayor from Dan Mathieson who is stepping aside after serving for five terms as the city’s top elected official.
“I’m blessed because I’ve been able to work alongside Dan,” Ritsma said.
For his part, Mathieson said Ritsma’s win isn’t surprising.
“He will be someone, I think, who will bring the community together,” Mathieson said.
Ritsma's new role will begin in three weeks on Nov. 15.
