UPDATED Official election results are now available on both the City of Powell River and Powell River Regional District websites. The results have now been signed off on by chief election officers Marie Claxton, for the city, and Brenda Paquin, for the regional district.
For information and vote counts for the election of city council, Powell River Board of Education and the library bylaw referendum, please visit the city's website.
For information and vote counts for the election of regional district directors, please visit the regional district's website.
A slight increase in voter turnout was experienced during the civic elections for City of Powell River. With 9,834 eligible voters and 4394 ballots cast, voter turnout is estimated at 44.68 per cent, 1.68 per cent higher than 2011. This is 2.32 per cent below the 47 per cent turnout in 2008.
City of Powell River voters resoundingly affirmed the city’s library referendum and added three new members to council during the Saturday, November 15 civic election.
Powell River Regional District and Powell River Board of Education each added one new director and trustee, respectively, after the votes were tallied late Saturday night.
Just after 10:30 pm on election day at city hall, Marie Claxton, the city’s chief election officer, proclaimed, “I have results. I’m going to list them in the order of the most ballots,” she said. “The first six names you will hear are elected.”
When Claxton read the results it was evident city council’s dynamic had changed considerably. With the retirement of Councillor Chris McNaughton and the defeat of two incumbent members, half of the councillors elected in 2011 are now gone.
The six elected city councillors in order of votes cast are: Russell Brewer (incumbent), 2,485 votes; Rob Southcott, 2,036 votes; Carole Ann Leishman, 2,012 votes; Karen Skadsheim, 1,996 votes; Jim Palm (incumbent), 1,865 votes; and Maggie Hathaway (incumbent), 1,853 votes.
Claxton then read the results of the library referendum. Electors have given council the mandate to borrow up to $3.5 million for a new library at Crossroads Village Shopping Centre.
Of the 4,323 votes cast for the library referendum, 3,315 votes, or 76.7 per cent, were in favour. The tally for those opposed came to 1,008 votes.
In the city there was a marginal, one per cent increase in voter turnout in 2014, compared to the 2011 civic election.
Preliminary figures from Saturday’s vote indicate that 4,394 of a list of 9,834 eligible voters cast ballots, for 44.68 per cent. In 2011, there were 10,249 eligible voters, with 4,466 casting ballots, for a 43.6 per cent turnout.
For the regional district, the only turnover was on Texada Island. Sandy McCormick defeated incumbent Dave Murphy. Regional District Chair Colin Palmer was re-elected in Electoral Area C and in Electoral Area B, incumbent Stan Gisborne was also re-elected.
Board of Education trustees, in order of votes cast, are now: Ashley Hull, 2,386; Aaron Reid, 2,368; Mary James, 2,350; Doug Skinner, 2,342 and Jeanette Scott, 2,184. Hull is the only newcomer. The rest of the trustees are incumbents.
Claxton said the election process ran smoothly.
“At times there were long lineups at the complex and I wish to thank the voters for their patience during those times,” she said. “Special thanks to our Brooks student greeters who helped keep the lines moving. It is wonderful to see youth interested in the election process. Thanks also to the school district facility staff and city staff for their help in setting up the voting places.
“Most of all a big thank you goes to the election workers. We are fortunate to have a great team and I am most appreciative of their dedication and professionalism in conducting the election proceedings.”
In an interview after the election, Mayor Dave Formosa said he was happy with the results of the library referendum.
“I hope we can make this work after 20 or 30 years and three failed referendums,” he said. “I think we now have something the public has overwhelmingly said yes to. We still have a gap in funding that we have to find but we can fundraise and come up with some creative ways of finding the balance with the dollars.”
Regarding the composition of the new city government, Formosa said there have been some big changes on council and the people of Powell River have spoken.
“I believe they are looking for a dramatic change and we’ll give them what they are asking for,” he said. “There are three new, dynamic community leaders and three incumbents and I think between us all we’ll form a great team and we’ll move forward. “Hopefully we can stay on the economic revitalization program and work with the new group, because I believe they are passionate about that, as well as the issues that are near and dear to their hearts. It will be a good mix and I’m looking forward to four good years.”
Colin Palmer, regional district chair, said looking forward, the relationships between the regional district, the city and Tla’amin (Sliammon) Nation are the best they have ever been.
“I’m optimistic this will continue,” he said.
Palmer identified several important issues to be addressed by the new regional board.
“Electoral Areas A, B, C and D will have to figure out if they wish to support a contribution to the capital for the new library,” he said. “If they agree, then an amount has to be worked on as well as a referendum to establish a capital service for the library. We contribute about $250,000 a year to the operation.”
Jeanette Scott, board of education chair, said it is reassuring for the incumbents to have received a vote of confidence from the community.
“We welcome Ashley Hull, who will join Trustee Reid in bringing the young parent’s perspective to the table,” Scott said. “I also hope that the board will consider inviting students to the board table on a regular basis.”
Scott said, during the past two terms, the school board has worked collaboratively to deal with the ongoing challenges of providing quality learning opportunities despite continued financial restraints.
“And it will be important that, during the forthcoming term, trustees continue to advocate for adequate funding and support for public education,” she said.
Library referendum passes
Electors have given Powell River City Council the mandate to borrow up to $3.5 million for a new library. In the Saturday, November 15 civic election, of the 4,323 votes cast for the library referendum, 3,315 votes, or 76.7 per cent, were in favour. The tally for those opposed came to 1,008 votes.
The referendum is not binding so the new council will have to decide how to proceed with the new library after its inauguration. City council’s dynamic has changed considerably. With the retirement of Councillor Chris McNaughton and the defeat of two incumbent members, there will be three new city councillors to go along with three returning councillors. Mayor Dave Formosa was returned by acclamation. The six elected city councillors in order of votes cast are: Russell Brewer, 2,485 votes; Rob Southcott, 2,036 votes; CaroleAnn Leishman, 2,012 votes; Karen Skadsheim, 1,996 votes; Jim Palm, 1,865 votes; Maggie Hathaway, 1,853 votes. The vote count for the remaining candidates on the ballot are: Debbie Dee, incumbent, 1,783; Anita Adams, 1,758; Ron Ostensen, 1,684; Myrna Leishman, incumbent, 1,440; David Dickson, 1,056; Jim Baron, 961; William Ashworth, 602. In the Powell River Regional District election, the only turnover was on Texada Island. Sandy McCormick defeated incumbent David Murphy. She received 146 votes, followed by Murphy with 118. Next was Tom Read with 114 votes and Bob Timms with 61. Regional District Chair Colin Palmer was re-elected in Electoral Area C, with 217 votes cast. Carlos Williams, his opponent, received 187. In Electoral Area B, incumbent Stan Gisborne was re-elected with 200 votes. Challenger Kim Barton-Bridges received 189 votes in her bid for the area directorship. Patrick Brabazon was acclaimed in Electoral Area A north of Powell River. Merrick Anderson was also acclaimed in Electoral Area E, which encompasses Lasqueti Island. School District 47 trustees, in order of votes cast, are: Ashley Hull, 2,386; Aaron Reid, 2,368; Mary James, 2,350; Doug Skinner, 2,342 and Jeanette Scott, 2,184. Hull is the only newcomer. The rest of the new Powell River Board of Education’s trustees are incumbents. Candidates not elected to the school board included: Ted Cooper, 1,519 votes; Cynthia Barnes, 1,405 votes; Lauren Exter, 1,303 votes; Maureen Mason, 1,249 votes; Frank Schmidt, 1,243 votes; Kevin Dodd, 1,055 votes.
