Official results from the November 15, 2014 civic election have been finalized and publicly released.
At a December City of Powell River Council meeting, Marie Claxton, city clerk and chief election officer, said reporting the results was a legislative requirement under the Local Government Act.
“The report is in front of you and I think you all know the outcome,” Claxton said. “I recommend that the report be accepted.”
Councillor Jim Palm said prior to the adoption of a motion to accept the report, he wanted to make special reference to city staff, led by Claxton, for an outstanding job. The comment drew applause from council and from members of the public in the council chambers gallery.
Claxton said she had to acknowledge Cathy Greiner, a former deputy clerk. “We yanked her out of retirement,” Claxton said. “She was a real trooper.”
Councillor Maggie Hathaway said council might want to put an item pertaining to elections on the next finance committee agenda.
“Maybe we can take a look at another counting machine or two,” she said, referring to compilation of results. “Everywhere around the province they were complete within an hour and we were four hours, or whatever it was. I don’t know how much they cost but we should at least look at it.”
Mac Fraser, chief administrative officer, said acquisition of new machines would be an eligible draw from the city’s equipment reserve.
Council then adopted Claxton’s election report.
It indicated that at the close of nominations: two candidates filed nomination papers for the office of mayor; 13 filed for the office of councillor; 11 filed for the office of school trustee.
Subsequently, one candidate for mayor withdrew. Claxton declared Dave Formosa elected by acclamation on October 15, 2014.
The following were declared elected after ballots were cast on Saturday, November 15:
Councillors:
• Russell Brewer 2,487
• Rob Southcott 2,039
• CaroleAnn Leishman 2,014
• Karen Skadsheim 1,999
• Jim Palm 1,879
• Maggie Hathaway 1,854
School Trustees:
• Ashley Hull 2,388
• Aaron Reid 2,371
• Mary James 2,352
• Doug Skinner 2,343
• Jeanette Scott 2,187
Crossroads Village New Library Loan Authorization Bylaw 2391, 2014 received the assent of electors by a majority of the votes counted in favour. There were 3,318 votes in favour of the bylaw and 1,008 opposed.
Claxton said the budget for the election was $73,910. Actual costs are not available yet. In keeping with the cost-sharing agreement, School District 47 will pay for one-third of the cost for election staff, supplies and advertising, ballots for use within the city and all of the costs for school trustee ballots for use within the regional district, and any other costs specifically attributable to the trustee election.
