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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Jubilant Eadie finally wins seat on council

By: Melissa Martin

Posted: 10/28/2010 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

Ross Eadie (right) celebrates winning with campaign manager Aaron McDowell. (DAVID LIPNOWSKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ) Photo Store

AFTER years of running, Ross Eadie can finally take a seat: the former school trustee is headed to city council for the Mynarski ward, seizing victory Wednesday in one of the city's most colourful contests.

Third time's the charm. Before this year's contest Eadie, a former school trustee and veteran NDP-backed candidate, ran for Old Kildonan's council seat twice. On Wednesday, running one ward to the south in Mynarski, Eadie finally landed the prize.

At Eadie's Polson Avenue and McGregor Street headquarters, about 30 friends, family and volunteers gathered to watch results come in. The mood turned jubilant early. "We know we're going to win," Eadie campaign manager Aaron McDowell said as poll numbers trickled in.

When the votes came in, they came in fast and furious. By the end of the hour, Eadie had won with 41 per cent of the vote; his closest challenger, conservative-leaning former software vice-president Jenny Motkaluk was second with 28 per cent.

"I'm really proud of my campaign team. We totally ran the campaign we wanted to run," Motkaluk said. Now, she said, she plans to turn her attention to organizing a Halloween candy drive for North End kids, many of whom won't be trick-or-treating with a suspect in last weekend's trio of deadly shootings still on the loose.

Greg Littlejohn, a lawyer and community centre advocate, landed 20 per cent of the vote. David Polsky (7 per cent), Trevor Mueller (3 per cent) and John Petrinka (2 per cent) rounded out the slate of candidates. Advance polls still had not come in at press time.

While supporters noshed on celebratory pizza, Eadie - who lost his eyesight in his 20s -- gave a victory speech that turned to tears as he recalled hours on the campaign trail, assisted by neighbourhood children who would help walk him to doorsteps.

"Running at home (in the Mynarski ward) was the charm," Eadie laughed.

melissa.martin@freepress.mb.ca

Mynarski

Ross Eadie 4,007

Jenny Motkaluk 2,734

Greg Littlejohn 1,989

David Polsky 657

Trevor Mueller 297

John Petrinka 161

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition October 28, 2010 B7

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