Wayne Olson, a retired Pelham-based accountant, won a landslide victory in the town’s Ward 1 by-election.
Olson received approximately 58 per cent of the vote, with 681 of the 1,177 votes in his favour. James Federico was the runner up receiving a total of 296 votes or 25.1 percent of the votes.
Olson will replace Mike Ciolfi, who died in April.
Voter turnout was 26.95 per cent of eligible Ward 1 voters, surpassing votes in a previous Ward 1 by-election. Total turnout was 1,177 of the 4,368 eligible voters, an improvement on the last Ward 1 by-election, in 2011, when 805 turned out.
Olson will begin his term after he has sworn the oath of office at the next Pelham council meeting on Sept. 21.
The retired chartered accountant and business executive has years of business experience and a record of community involvement. He has worked for companies such as PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ford Motor Company, and Automotive Part Manufacturer’s Association of Canada.
In addition to his business career, Olson has served as the director of Pelham Cares, Community Support Services of Niagara, and been part of the Welland Affordable Houses Task Force, Pelham Seniors Advisory Committee, and more.
He has also volunteered for organizations such as the Salvation Army, Welland Food Bank, served as national president of the Big Brother and Big Sisters program for one term, and serves as a volunteer school crossing guard.