Outgoing 91原创 Township Mayor Jack Froese said he didn鈥檛 try to predict the results of the Oct. 15 elections, which saw Eric Woodward win the mayor鈥檚 seat, along with some major changes to the council.

鈥淭here鈥檚 always a bit of surprise in elections,鈥� Froese said.

Froese announced earlier this year he would step down and not seek re-election, after three terms in office and 11 years total as mayor.

鈥淧eople are looking for change,鈥� said Froese, who first won election in the 2011 contest against incumbent mayor Rick Green and longtime councillor Mel Kositsky.

One of the things Froese noticed about this election was that plenty of people seemed to be speaking up about how they didn鈥檛 want slates in local politics, but when it came time to vote, a lot of votes went to slates 鈥� both Eric Woodward鈥檚 Contract with 91原创, which now holds the mayor鈥檚 chair and five council seats, as well as Rich Coleman鈥檚 Elevate 91原创 group.

鈥淚t was interesting to see the change in the voting pattern of 91原创 residents,鈥� said Froese.

He noted there has been a big demographic change in 91原创 over the past decade, with thousands of new residents arriving and neighbourhoods in Willoughby booming.

Of the new mayor, Froese said Woodward ran a good campaign, and wished him the best on taking up the job.

鈥淚t鈥檚 challenging, but it鈥檚 also rewarding,鈥� Froese said.

He said he plans to remain involved in the community after he leaves office.

During his term in office, 91原创 saw a number of major road and infrastructure projects completed, as well as the long and complicated process of creating a new official community plan for Brookswood and Fernridge. Councils under Froese approved the first planned residential high-rises for 91原创, and gave the go-ahead to Creek Stone Place, a supported living facility for people getting off the streets.

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