19-year-old loses N.L. mayoral race, again

PARADISE, N.L. – A Newfoundland judge has ruled that Ralph Wiseman will stay mayor of the fastest growing community in Atlantic Canada because his name had been drawn following a tie in the municipal elections last month.

A judicial recount Tuesday found that the tie in votes stands.

Wiseman was to be sworn in as mayor of Paradise, N.L., Tuesday night along with the rest of city council. He was expected to make a statement at that time.

Nineteen-year-old Kurtis Coombs initially won the Sept. 29 election by three votes but a recount in the town resulted in a tie in votes.

His opponent, Wiseman, then won the mayor’s seat in a draw of names that caused much debate among residents of the town.

The vote count before the disputed ballots stands at 1,810 in favour of Coombs and 1,817 for Wiseman.

Paradise is located about 20 kilometres west of St. John’s.