Macri claims LaSalle mayorship with 40-vote victory over Meloche

LaSalle residents selected a new mayor in a contest that ended with the smallest margin recorded in recent local history. Michael Macri defeated incumbent Crystal Meloche by 40 votes, ending her tenure as the city's first female mayor and installing a council that prioritizes fiscal restraint.

Macri received 5,051 votes in the race. Meloche garnered 5,016 votes. Shaun Dass finished third with 3,197 votes. The outcome reflects a voter desire for a blend of administrative stability and new policy direction, according to Macri.

The winner stated that affordability was the most frequent concern raised during the campaign. He committed to flattening property taxes for the 2027 fiscal year. Following that period, he plans to review all municipal spending line by line. His administration will also restructure the executive office and form a dedicated economic development team.

Macri instructed staff to evaluate every capital project to determine if it meets a specific need rather than a general want. He emphasized that the new council will focus strictly on essential expenditures to manage taxpayer dollars effectively.

Meloche accepted the narrow defeat with composure. She noted that the gap was approximately 35 votes, a slight variance from the final count, but expressed confidence that the city would be in good hands. She attributed part of the result to the spread of misinformation and negative campaigning tactics used during the election period.

In her final remarks to the electorate, Meloche advised her successor to remember that every decision impacts 37,000 residents, not just the small number of constituents who communicate frequently with the office. She urged the new mayor to make choices that move the town forward for the entire population.

The deputy mayoral race was won by incumbent Michael Akpata, who received 6,231 votes. Tory McKay placed second with 4,385 votes, and Simon Jacques finished third with 1,949 votes. Five other candidates secured seats on council. Mike Seguin led the field with 6,090 votes. Jeff Renaud followed with 5,894 votes. Ivana White received 5,893 votes. Brad Krewench earned 5,014 votes, and Anita Riccio-Spagnuolo collected 4,778 votes. Certified results are scheduled for release on Tuesday.