Strathcona mayor defeated in election

Strathcona mayor Cathy Olesen has been defeated by challenger Linda Osinchuk.

Olesen had served as mayor for six years and focused her campaign on economic, environmental and social sustainability. Her team said they were stunned by the result, but recalled her advancements in the community.

Osinchuk, a former councillor in Ward 3, based her campaign on the future Strathcona Community Hospital, tramsmission lines, and cracking down on crime.

Councillor Jason Gariepy was locked out of his Blackberry and other staff communication by order of Mayor Olesen after he criticized the state of a report on the construction of the new hospital. He claimed that the mayor’s praise was misdirected because the hospital contained no beds.

The mayor’s defeat was also attributed to the planned route of the Heartland Transmission Line, which will bring 20-storey electrical towers through the county and past several residential areas.

Osinchuk defeated Olesen by just over 3,000 votes.