Erwin Wiens had just lost his bid to become Niagara-on-the-Lake’s next lord mayor when his daughter Mackenzie stepped forward to remind him of something he told her years ago.
She was 15, trying out for a hockey team, and had just played what she believed was one of her best games. Her father was waiting outside the dressing room, expecting good news.
Instead, she emerged in tears.
“Dad, I just got cut,” she recalled telling him.
On the drive home, Wiens offered advice she never forgot.
“Things that matter should hurt when you don’t get them.”
On Monday night, after voters handed the town’s top job to Vaughn Goettler, Mackenzie brought those words back to her father in front of his supporters.
“I hope you know that there’s nothing you could have done different,” she told him.
And although the election hadn’t ended the way the family hoped, she found something to look forward to.
“We’re gonna have more time with our parents.”
According to unofficial results, Goettler secured 55.1 per cent, defeating Wiens, who received 31 per cent. Regional councillor Andrea Kaiser finished third with 13.9 per cent.
Wiens, the retired police officer and grape grower who served the past eight years on council, including four as deputy lord mayor, acknowledged disappointment with the election result but said he was proud of the campaign his team ran and of the outgoing council’s accomplishments.
“We’ve got the framework in place, so the next council can come into the administration and do a good job,” he told The Lake Report Monday night.
‘We’re all on the same team’
Addressing supporters, Wiens pointed to what he described as several town accomplishments from the past four years, including its official plan, tourism strategy, asset management planning and investments in infrastructure.
He also highlighted funding secured for irrigation infrastructure and the Shaw Festival.
“Those are things that I’m proud of,” he said.
Wiens credited outgoing Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa, who attended the gathering, and described him as a mentor.
He also singled out councillors Maria Mavridis and Adriana Cater-Vizzari, who both lost their re-election bids. Mavridis, whose family owns Corks Wine Bar & Eatery, where the gathering was held, was also in attendance.
Wiens praised their contributions to the town and acknowledged the criticism they faced while making difficult decisions.
“They took a beating in the media, they took a beating in social media,” he said.
But for Wiens, the election outcome was no reason for the community to lose sight of what unites it.
“We’re all on the same team. We’re better together.”
Before the results came in
With the outcome still unknown, Wiens said he was confident but anxious.
“We’re proud of the campaign we ran,” he said in an interview, roughly 30 minutes after polls closed.
Wiens said he would have been willing to work with any councillors elected alongside him, emphasizing his history of collaboration.
“I’m happy to work with anybody.”
He also thanked his campaign supporters and said one of the highlights of campaigning was reconnecting with lifelong acquaintances whose names he recognized while going through the voter list.
Credit: PAIGE SEBURN
Erwin Wiens addresses the crowd at Corks Wine Bar & Eatery after losing his bid for Niagara-on-the-Lake’s top job Monday night. While his time in municipal politics may be over, Wiens’ involvement in the community is far from over, he says.What’s next for Wiens?
Although his time on council is coming to an end, Wiens said he and his wife, Dorothy Soo-Wiens, have no plans to step away from community life.
He said the couple planned to continue volunteering, with the upcoming tractor parade among their next commitments. He also said the family was planning a vacation.
“Rest assured, you haven’t seen the last of Dorothy and I.”
