Paradise mayor's race won by 19-year-old

[Velvet]

A 19-year-old university student narrowly defeated a veteran politician Tuesday night to become the mayor of Paradise, one of Newfoundland and Labrador's fastest-growing communities.

Kurtis Coombs beat incumbent Ralph Wiseman by just three votes.

"It feels great, I can't put it into words. I want to thank the people of Paradise for putting me over the top and putting their faith in me," said Coombs. "At 19 years old, it is a big deal. "

Wiseman, who has been mayor of the community just west of St. John's, on Conception Bay, since 2005, refused to comment on his loss.

Wiseman entered provincial politics in 1989 when he became the MHA for the district of Topsail.

According to the province's Municipal Elections Act, candidates can ask for a recount when a municipal election is decided by less than 10 votes.

Coombs, a political science student at Memorial University in St. John's who lives at home with his parents, believes people in Paradise truly want a new mayor.

Residents 'weren't happy with the status quo'

"People really want a change here in Paradise. They weren't getting the basic services, the infrastructure, recreational services that they needed," Coombs told CBC News. "It's something people were calling out for. They really weren't happy with the status quo."

Coombs' mother, Rhonda Chancey, said she knew early on that her son was not like other children.

"For Christmas, he wanted suits and dress shirts," said Chancey. "From the time he was out of diapers, he was watching news."

Still, his win took some of his family members by surprise.

"I didn't think he would make it," said Coombs' grandmother, Philomena Chancey.

Tuesday night, Coombs said, recount or no recount, he would celebrate his victory, but not too hard.

He's due back in class Wednesday morning.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2009/09/30/nl-coombs-wiseman-930.html

[Velvet]

Ottawa should be so lucky.

[Davey Boy 2.0]

I'll bet journalists love putting "who lives at home with his parents" into any story, period

I know I would

[phishtaper]

Coombs, a political science student at Memorial University in St. John's who lives at home with his parents

Hello, is the Mayor there?

No, Im sorry, he's out doing yard work with his little brother. Can I have him call you back?

[Davey Boy 2.0]

also would've accepted

"No I'm afraid he didn't eat his peas tonight so he's lost his phone privileges"

[SolarGarlic]

Coombs' mother, Rhonda Chancey, said she knew early on that her son was not like other children.

"For Christmas, he wanted suits and dress shirts," said Chancey. "From the time he was out of diapers, he was watching news."

[Guest Low Roller]

I saw an interview with him yesterday. He looks like a zit-faced little boy but he certainly knows how to talk the talk. He's got the politician speak down pat!

[PMatt]

Oh Yes Bye....

"Update: Ralph Wiseman reclaims mayor’s chair in Paradise following recount

Name drawn from envelope after tie in votes"

http://www.thetelegram.com/index.cfm?sid=291428&sc=79

[Basher]

According to the section 60 of the Municipal Elections Act …

60. Where, upon the counting of the votes, 2 or more candidates have

an equal number of votes and both or all of those candidates cannot be

elected, the returning officer shall immediately

(a) write the names of those candidates on separate, identical

blank sheets of paper;

( fold the sheets of paper in an identical manner so that

the names are concealed;

© deposit them in a receptacle and withdraw the number of

the sheets necessary to elect the candidates required to be elected; and

(d) declare the candidate whose name appears on the sheet

withdrawn, to be elected.

Epic. Name drawn out of a hat? Who would've thunk it?

[PMatt]

I wonder did they use a ball cap, and did the mesh backing cause any interference?