Just over 100 votes separated Langevin and Lett in the Lac La Biche County mayoral election. With over 1500 total votes, the victory for Langevin was close right until the very end.
With 824 total votes, Aurel Langevin will become the next mayor of Lac La Biche. The close race saw Langevin in the lead from the beginning with Tom Lett close behind the whole way, Lett finished with 718 total votes. Ray Ewaskiw finished in a distant third bringing in 135 total votes.
"I'm really quite glad with the results," Langevin said. "I'm actually surprised it was this close."
Langevin took a large lead in the Plamondon polls and it became too much of a deficit for Lett to overcome.
"I certainly think the residents voted with continuity in mind," Langevin said. "I'm glad sanity prevailed."
Langevin had a small gathering of friends and family at his place and will be celebrating with some music and fine food.
"Tonight is a night for celebration, but tomorrow I'm back to work."
As for Lett, he congratulated his opponents on a well run campaign with no hard feelings to Langevin.
"I think Aurel will be a good mayor, he ran a good campaign and there is no shame in losing," Lett said. "The sun will come up tomorrow and it's back to work for me."
As for Lett's plans, his immediate decision is to sit back and have a beer.
"I'm looking forward to doing some traveling in the coming months, I've got a trip to Winnipeg and Lebanon on the horizon, but for now i'll settle for a beer."
Ewaskiw was left behind in the two horse race early on as the polls were returned throughout the night, but he didn't have any hard feelings toward the new mayor.
"I want to congratulate Aurel, obviously I'm a little disappointed that things didn't work out for me, but what can you say, that's democracy."
Langevin will be sworn into his new role at the next regular meeting of Lac La Biche County Council on Sept. 11.
