Donnie Earle
By Mark Squibb
Donnie Earle was at home spending the night with friends, family and a feed of Keith’s wings and cod bites when he learned he had been elected Ward 5 councillor.
“I’m over the moon,” said Earle. “I’m so honoured and privileged that the residents of Ward 5 believed in me, were willing to put their faith and trust in me and give me an opportunity to do my part to make my city a better place.”
Earle bested incumbent Carl Ridgley 3,687 votes to 2,545 votes, a difference of 1,142. He had previously run against Ridgeley in 2021 and lost by 14 votes.
“There was no pressure this time around,” said Earle, comparing this election night to his last. “We were just waiting for the results to come in and once they started to come in, we knew we were going to be in for a great night.”
Hard work and a great campaign team made the difference this time around, Earle added.
“We took nothing for granted,” said Earle. “On the cards we were leaving at the doors, we put my private number. People knew that this was the same number my grandchildren reach me on, and my sons reach me on, and my mom. People were willing to say, ‘If this person is willing to give out his private number, he’s for real. He’s not going to hide. He’s not going to not be available if he’s elected and given the opportunity to represent us.’”
The councillor said he is excited to get to work on behalf of his constituents.
“There’s some great men who come before me and a lot of hard work already has taken place,” said Earle. “I look forward to the next chapter in our ward and to being a hard working, dedicated, easily accessible councillor, who’s not always going to have the answers you’re looking for, but will always get you an answer and will always take your phone call.”
