Bruce Milne is the new Mayor in Sechelt as he defeated incumbent John Henderson in Saturday’s municipal election.
In the preliminary results, Milne finished with 2,335 votes, Henderson 1,349 and Christine Younghusband with 565.
The six council positions went to Noel Muller who topped the polls with 2,629 votes, followed by Darren Inkster, 2,427, Alice Lutes, 2,250, Mike Shanks, 2,166, Doug Wright, 1735 and Darnelda Siegers, 1,521.
The other Sechelt council results were: Jon Bell, 1,471, Tom Lamb, 1,440, Ed Steeves, 1,421, Keith Thirkell, 1,391, Christine Stefanik, 1,353, Norm Blair, 1,169, Terry Karkabe, 682, Alice Janisch, 659 and Michael Turner, 257.
Voter turnout was 52.8 per cent.
“The community came together because they knew this had to be done,” Milne said. “There were people who said our community has got to get through the last three years and the only way we can do it is if we come together and choose community values. We have chosen community values tonight and I’m really, really proud of you for doing that.
In defeat, Henderson said he would continue to work hard to make Sechelt a strong community and offered Milne his support.
“I’m very, very proud of the campaign we ran. We ran a clean campaign. We focused on the positives. I know Sechelt has tremendous potential and I’m going to support Mr. Milne because the community has spoken, so I’m looking forward to seeing them embrace what we need in Sechelt," said Henderson.
In Gibsons, Wayne Rowe was re-elected Mayor with 1,419 votes followed by Suzanne Senger with 807 votes.
The four council positions went to Silas White with 1,529 votes, Jeremy Valeriote with 1,325, Charlene SanJenko with 1,244 and Stafford Lumley with 1,117.
The other Gibsons council results were: LeeAnn Johnson, 925, Dan Bouman, 849, Barry Janyk, 832, and Katie Janyk 698.
Voter turnout in Gibsons was 62.2 per cent.
"Given the results, I believe that our community has made it sufficently clear that it chooses progress over the status quo, critical analysis over dogmatism and hope over despair," Rowe told the cheering crowd of supporters at a victory party at the Gibsons Legion.
For Sunshine Coast Regional District, Ian Winn was elected in Area F (West Howe Sound) with 344 votes followed by 222 for Ron Girard. Voter turnout was 33 per cent.
In Area D (Roberts Creek), Mark Lebbell was elected with 687 votes followed by Hans Penner with 222, Barbara Hague with 148 and David Kelln with 61 votes. Voter turnout was 43 per cent.
In Area E (Elphinstone) Lorne Lewis was re-elected with 472 votes, followed by Rob Corlett with 387 votes and Thomas Murray with 194 votes. Voter turnout was 38 per cent.
In the lone School District No. 46 race for three trustee positions in rural area two, Greg Russell was re-elected with 1,538 votes, Lori Dixon was re-elected with 1,464 votes and Betty Baxter was re-elected with 1,210 votes. Allen Stevenson finished with 1, 209 votes and Sarah Bradley finished with 853 votes.
All the results are preliminary and will be officially declared and finalized by the four returning officers early next week.
Coast Reporter will have complete coverge in our print and on-line editions next Friday with more stories, photos and video clips from election night.
