It’s been a whirlwind election period in the South Cariboo.
In some areas, people voted for changed. Some kept the status quo. Others didn’t vote at all, as was evident in Area G (only 16% turnout in 108 Mile, Lac La Hache and outlying areas like 103 and 105 Mile)
One of the biggest upsets was in 100 Mile where David Jurek overwhelmingly upended incumbent Maureen Pinkney for the mayor’s chair, taking 408 votes to her 228.
A newcomer to politics, Jurek moved to the area 10 years ago from the Okanagan and decided to run for mayor after being encouraged by community members.
He promised to bring a fresh perspective to council, focusing on tourism, lifestyle and recreation, as that’s the big draw for many new residents. He adds its important to partner with businesses, as well as the regional district to support growth in the community to expand the tax base, upgrade infrastructure, draw people, such as doctors, to the area.
“I see so much opportunity here and maybe we need to look at things differently,” he told the Buzz, produced monthly by Cariboo Publishing. “Our community has changed after losing so much industry. I want to take a look at what were naturally good at and make a stronger South Cariboo.”
Preliminary results show Jurek will be joined by incumbent councillors Donna Barnett, the top candidate with 440 votes, and Dave Mingo and newcomers Ralf Holzapfel and Erin Filtness.
Change in Electoral Area L
In Electoral Area L in the Cariboo Regional District, there is also a new face with Dan Parker, taking the seat from incumbent Eric de Vries. The campaign came down to a split vote with four people running for the position. Parker won with 286 votes, followed by de Vries with 240 votes. Challenger McLean got 232 votes, while 109 voters cast ballots for Bo McKinney.
Long-time director Margo Wagner kept her seat in Electoral Area H, as did Al Richmond, who faced two challengers in Electoral Area G: Michele Spence and Roz Griston. Spence, a newcomer to politics, gave Richmond a run for his money but only 16% of the population bothered to hit the polling booth. Richmond, who has been in the seat for 33 years, collected 641 votes; Spence 255. Griston, who was barely visible during the campaign, finished with 35 votes.
Incumbents Nicole Audet was acclaimed in Electoral Area A (Red Bluff – Quesnel South), along with Steve Forseth in Electoral Area D (Commodore Heights – McLeese Lake), Maureen LeBourdais in Electoral Area F (Horsefly – Likely – 150 Mile House), Jim Glassford in Electoral Area I (Narcosli – Nazko – West Fraser) and Tolin Pare in Electoral Area J (West Chilcotin).
Robert Merz took the seat in Electoral Area B (Quesnel West – Bouchie Lake ), incumbent Melynda Neufeld in Electoral Area E (South Lakeside – Dog Creek), Clint Cave in Electoral Area C (Bowron Lake – Barlow Creek – Barkerville) and incumbent Betty Anderson in Electoral Area K (East Chilcotin).
In School District 27, Michael Henshall beat out incumbent Willow McDonald for the trustee spot in Zone 3 while other trustees elected include William Shepherd, Michael Franklin, Jenny Philbrick, Mary Forbes, Ella Brown and Melissa Coates.
Status quote in 70 Mile-Clinton area
In the Thompson-Nicola Regional District’s Electoral Area E, which encompasses areas including 70 Mile, Loon Lake and Pressy Lake, incumbent Jim Smith prevailed over former director Sally Watson. See the full preliminary results here.
In the village of Clinton, there was no municipal election as incumbent mayor Roland Stanke and councillors Sandi Burrage, Nicholas Kosovic and Darrell Schapansky, along with newcomer Jessica Lawrence were acclaimed.
Female mayor for Cache Creek
In a major upset in Cache Creek, longtime mayor John Ranta was knocked off his perch by former Cache Creek councillor Wendy Coomber. She took 219 votes compared to his 74, making her the first female mayor since the village was incorporated in 1967. Annette Pittman came in second with 102 votes.
Coomber will be joined by incumbents Kelly Debert, David Dubois, Sue Peters and Carmen Ranta, who slipped in with a five-point lead over Karla Hein.
In Ashcroft, Barbara Roden was re-elected as mayor for her third term, with 458 votes to Eric Poole’s 178. Councillors include newcomer Warren Wall and incumbents Jessica Clement, Jonah Anstet and Nadine Davenport, who squeaked past hopeful Darril Fosty – owner of Dominion Books – by 10 points.
Incumbent trustees were elected School District 74 including Jordan Lawrence, Larry Casper, Valerie Adrian, Carmen Ranta, Orra Storkan, John Roberge as well as newcomer Connor Thomas.
