Yellowknife, N.W.T. - The job of deputy mayor in Hay River has finally been filled.

Councilor Andrew Cassidy was elected to assume the role after winning a tight 3-2 vote over councilor Bernard Dueck this past Tuesday.

Mayor Ken Latour says the run-off vote was needed because multiple candidates did step forward with an interest.

“Our by-law basically directs us to have a vote, a secret ballot vote, amongst councilors when we have more than one person interested,” he said. “That’s what we did.”

Originally, Cassidy was going to be appointed deputy mayor because no one else had put their name in, but Latour had to backtrack on that because Dueck had indicated his intent to seek the position.

Latour had said earlier Dueck's e-mail was lost in the shuffle.

Cassidy says the vote was a squeaker and he's ready to take on the extra responsibility.

“We work together very well,” he said. “I think it will be good for us to continue working together and developing that relationship.”

The position had been vacant after councilor Mike Maher resigned in the wake of former mayor Kelly Schofield's resignation back in February.

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