Ward 8's newest councillor in Windsor is eager to hit the ground running.
Gary Kaschak, a federal government worker in Windsor, won the municipal election race on Monday by 100 votes over lawyer David Sundin.
Kaschak replaces long-time city councillor Bill Marra who decided not to seek re-election.
He says his top priorities are roads, sewers and infrastructure.
Kaschak feels elated after a long and tiring campaign and believes going door-to-door and speaking to as many people as possible helped.
As for the 6-4 vote seen on the previous council, Kaschak says he doesn't want to dwell on the past.
"I never like to see 6-4 type stuff, I can work with anybody," he says. "I can work with the mayor or anybody on council. We are going to agree, sometimes we are going to disagree, I don't like to be part of my own clique, I'm my own man."
During his campaign, Kaschak promised to retire from his job to focus on council work.
"I'm off work today, I'm going to pick up signs and wrap up some campaign work and I will proceed to file my retirement papers tomorrow [Wednesday] with the federal government."
Kaschak, who calls himself a 'political junkie' his whole life, says he's looking forward to sitting down with Mayor Drew Dilkens and getting down to business.
Also newly elected are Fabio Costante, who defeated Ward 2 incumbent John Elliott, Kieran McKenzie who beat Hilary Payne in Ward 9 and Jim Morrison who defeated incumbent Paul Borrelli.