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Lac-Mégantic elects new mayor, city councillors in municipal election

Lac-Mégantic,still recovering after the 2012 train derailment, has elected a new mayor..

Jean-Guy Cloutier beat out rival Pierre Deschamps in a municipal election held Sunday.

Colette Roy Laroche, the town's mayor at the time of the derailment, opted not to run this around.

Three city councillors were voted in, while the other three council seats had already been filled by acclamation.

Here's a breakdown of the new council:

- Mayor: Jean-Guy Cloutier

- District 1 - Agnès: Jean Cloutier

- District 2 - Fatima: Jasmin Brière

- District 3 - Centre-ville: Pierre Mercier

- District 4 - Québec-Central:Jean Bilodeau

- District 5 - Vieux-Nord: Pierre Latulippe

- District 6 - Montignac: Julie Morin

During the campaign, Cloutier promised to work long hours to lead the town of 6,000.

"It's a major challenge and I'm ready to work 50 to 60 hours a week," said Cloutier, who headed a construction company until 2002 and also served as mayor between 1985 and 1989.

His challenger, Deschamps, also promised to roll up his sleeves to take on the challenges faced by the town rocked by a massive train explosion that killed 47 people on July 6, 2013.

Deschamps, 55, had no previous experience in Lac-Mégantic municipal politics when he announced his candidacy.

Jean Bilodeau beat two challengers for the Québec-Central council seat, Pierre Mercier won in the Centre-ville district and Jasmin Brière won in Fatima.

Outgoing mayor was popular

The election was delayed by special provincial intervention after the government extended the mandate of the outgoing administration.

Popular Mayor Colette Roy Laroche, dubbed "The Granite Lady" as a tribute to her strength, announced in August that she would not seek re-election due to health reasons after serving 13 years in the post.