Re-elected Stratford Mayor Steve Ogden says holding the line on taxes a priority

Steve Ogden has been re-elected as mayor of Stratford, P.E.I.

Ogden won the two-way race with 2,290 votes to Gail MacDonald's 830.

"I'm very honoured and privileged and very humbled because I think this is an indication it was a good campaign," he told CBC News Monday night.

"My opponent really waged a good campaign and we really talked about the issues and got a good discussion going and I think it was very positive and I think it's really good for the town."

Ogden, elected twice as a Stratford town councillor before being elected mayor in 2018, said affordability will be top of mind, including holding the line on taxes and fees.

"You charge people and really try to make sure that we're just recovering our costs," he said.

He said a key issue will be to address what he called "the infrastructure gap."

"Especially recreational infrastructure," he said. "Kids in Stratford are playing their home games in other communities. They don't have the facilities here."  

During the campaign, Ogden said he heard from residents about the need for more bus transit, and the "crucial" balance between development and maintaining the peace and enjoyment of existing neighbourhoods.

Asked what he envisions in four years, Ogden said he's hoping for "a new downtown" with lots of commercial space.

"I'd like to see us well on the way to being a full-service community, being a net-zero community, and really having residents that are happy to be here."

Here are the councillors elected in Stratford:

• Ward 1 – Kelly's Cove: Gordie Cox and Ron Dowling.
• Ward 2 – Stewart Cove: Jill Chandler and Jeff MacDonald.
• Ward 3 – Tea Hill: Steve Gallant and Jody Jackson.