By Anne Finlay-Stewart

Richard Thomas could feel the winds of change blowing even before the election campaign began, and tonight they blew him to the top of the polls. He says he is humbled by the results, and wants to thank those who supported him in this campaign.

The videographer has become something of a public hero over the past few years as he worked with community members to keep the Marine Rail Museum in its train station location on the west harbour. People have expressed their concern for the city's heritage, while recognizing that taxes and expenditures could not continue rising.

"When it comes to finances, we can keep trying to manage a shrinking pile or we can grow the pile", said Thomas. Candidates brought out lots of ideas during the campaign, he said, and "now it is time to get to the council table and see where the support is".

The first item on his agenda is to learn the job. "Running a city council is a complicated business, and our first task will be developing next year's city budget," he said.

It will take creativity and vision to find ways for the to move forward, Thomas admitted, and he looks forward to working on this at the council table and with the community.

Anne Finlay-Stewart is Community Editor of Owensoundhub.org. She can be reached at annekfs@gmail.com.