The election was almost a carbon copy of last year’s proceedings.
Saugeen Shores Mayor Mike Smith and Kincardine Mayor Larry Kraemer went head to head on Thursday and it took two ballots for other Bruce County councillors to choose incumbent Warden Smith.
Kraemer was visibly shaken by the repeat loss and had little to say afterwards except to confirm that he will not attempt to run for Warden again.
He declined to give a reason why saying that he was taught at a young age that if you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all.
Kraemer did say he will focus on his duties as a county councillor.
Meanwhile, Warden Smith says he knows Kraemer will continue to do what’s best for the county.
Smith says he ran again because he felt one year as Warden just wasn’t enough time to get all the things that need to be done.
He says he will continue to pursue a protocol agreement between the county and the First Nations so that each side knows the needs and wants of the other.
Smith also says the budget is going to be a real challenge next year because of the expected cutbacks in funding from the senior levels of government.