Heather Wright/The Independent

“I was totally stunned that I got the most votes, honestly,” says Jane Joris.

The Watford resident is the newest member of Warwick Township council.

Joris, a former long-term care administrator in Lambton, received 800 votes in Monday’s municipal election.

That put her at the top of the polls for one of the four council seats.

“I’m a brand new person, but I feel very honoured, and I’ve lived in that community my whole life, so I’m excited to be able to be part of the leadership for sure.”

Warwick residents only voted for council members this time around since Mayor Todd Case was acclaimed.

A space opened up around the council table with the retirement of long-time politician Jerry Westgate.

The other three incumbents ran and won back their seats.

Joe Manning took 779 votes, John Couwenberg 682 votes and Wayne Morris 654 votes Oct. 26.

Joris, a first-time political candidate, worked hard to get her name out there.

“I felt like I needed to send out some flyers in the mail and talk to people that I didn’t know because although I probably know almost everybody in town, there’s lots of people in the township I didn’t know,” she says.

“I also think that Jerry left a big hole because he was there a really long time, and so maybe a more familiar person would be chosen to fill that hole.”

With Joris’ performance at the poll, she’s getting a little more than she expected.

The councillor who receives the most votes becomes the deputy mayor.

“That’s a little bit intimidating… I feel like I’m going to have to get up to speed really fast, just in case I’m needed to step into that role.”

Joris says her career in municipal government will help her with any issues she encounters.

“I think it’ll be okay.”

Joris is not taking the new role lightly. After celebrating with family Monday, she got right to work.

“Last night before I went to bed. I looked at the at the budget that I’ve been memorizing because we need to do a new budget, and I was trying to think about what were the things that need to take priority.

“The finances are a huge responsibility when you’re brand new,” Joris added.