Ward 3 has gone to the millennials.
Mason Ainsworth, 26, was re-elected to his Orillia city council seat Monday night, while Jay Fallis, 28, secured the ward’s second seat in his first run for political office.
“A lot of people at the door said they wanted a fresh perspective,” said Fallis, who earned 984 votes (26.76 per cent).
Despite what he heard on the campaign trail, Fallis wasn’t over-confident come election night.
“You never know. I was hopeful and I was optimistic, but you can never anticipate what’s going to happen,” he said. “Going into this election, I said it could go any way because it was such a competitive election.”
Ainsworth, who received more votes (1,235, or 33.59 per cent) than any other candidate in the ward, said voters made a statement by electing him and Fallis.
“It sends a clear message that young people can be engaged and make a difference,” he said. “We broke the ice for younger candidates to get into Ward 3.”
Fallis is pleased with the overall representation on council, and he feels the range of the councillors’ ages will make for an interesting dynamic.
“I think they’ll bring some excellent positions to the table,” he said.
He will keep his job as a part-time instructor at Georgian College, but assures residents they will always come first.
“My priority is going to be being a councillor and making sure the people of my ward are well represented,” he said.
Ainsworth, who often found himself on the dissenting side of council during the last term and never shied away from ruffling some feathers, said he will continue to advocate for what he believes is right. The results show his constituents support that, he said.
“People spoke clearly by re-electing me that I’m on the right path. They like somebody who’s going to go against the old guard,” he said, giving a “special shout-out to the haters.
“It keeps us going.”
Ward 3 results (unofficial)
Mason Ainsworth: 1,235 (33.59 per cent)
Jay Fallis: 984 (26.76 per cent)
Fior Tucci: 698 (18.98 per cent)
Jodie Wilson: 454 (12.35 per cent)
Betsy Gross: 306 (8.32 per cent)
