Delta’s next mayor will be George Harvie.
The former city manager held off the other top job candidates on election night thanks in large part to support from North Delta voters.
The mood was upbeat at Harvie’s election night headquarters at a ballroom at Tsawwassen Springs.
Harvie told the Optimist he spent some nervous moments with his family when the results began to arrive, but was thrilled to not only take the early lead but have members of his slate also secure spots.
“The tremendous support we had here was great. When we first started this journey, a lot of people tried to write me off but we had a great result for Achieving For Delta,” he said.
“I’m saddened not all our candidates were elected but they will still be part of our team over the next four years,” he added.
Noting he wanted to stay clear from doing a negative campaign, Harvie said it was clear that while he held his own at the South Delta polls, it was the North Delta vote which once again was key. His campaign put an incredible amount of work and door knocking there right up until the last day, he said.
With 32 of 33 polls reporting Harvie had 11,983 votes, ahead of former police chief Jim Cessford who had 10,238 votes.
“I have said right from the start that I would listen to the public and hear what they have to say and then I would do what I could to reflect that. The community has spoken tonight and they have said they want George Harvie to be mayor and I support that – I support what the community wants. Congratulations to them,” said Cessford.
Two-term councillor Sylvia Bishop finished in third place with 7,142 votes.
Independent candidates Moneca Kolvyn, Vytas Vaitkus and Alex Megalos combined for less than 1,000 votes.
In the race for the six councillor spots newcomer Alicia Guichon was the top vote-getter. She’ll be joined at the council table by former mayor Lois Jackson, Dan Copeland, Jeannie Kanakos, Bruce McDonald and Dylan Kruger.
“I’m thrilled with the results tonight,” said Jackson. “Really excited and really happy for our community. We have some wonderful people here and so happy that so many came forward who really cared. Everyone put in a lot of effort to get their own personal message out and they are all to be congratulated. It’s a good thing for democracy to have everyone coming forward as they have.
I’m really excited. This new role is going to be a great thing for me and hopefully the community as well.”
Incumbent Robert Campbell was unsuccessful in his bid to be re-elected.
Laura Dixon topped school trustee candidates in votes with Nick Kanakos, Daniel Boisvert, Erica Beard, Val Windsor, Jessie Dosanjh and Bruce Reid also being elected.
Incumbents Dale Saip and Rhiannon Bennett lost their seats.
