Creston Mayor Ron Toyota was returned to a third term in office on Saturday as he easily outdistanced four challengers.
The only incumbent in the town council race, Joanna Wilson, returns for a fourth term after finishing fifth among 13 who were vying for six seats. Wilson was one of five candidates who Toyota said at a candidates forum that he had voted for in the advance polls. The other four were also elected.
Chartered accountant Kevin Boehmer topped the polls, grabbing 1,126 votes. He was followed by former Fort Nelson councillor Karen Unruh (1,100), retired insurance agency owner Jim Elford (1,028), Creston Valley Farmers’ Market manager Jen Comer (982) and Wilson (878). Joe Snopek picked up the sixth seat with 815 votes, and brings experience as both mayor and councillor to the table.
It was a rough night for the Action Creston slate of candidates, as Creston voters rejected the party concept. Tom Mann, with 18 years of experience as a Regional District of Central Kootenay director, finished third in the mayoralty race, taking 343 votes, while former town administrator Bill Hutchinson finished second with 418 votes. Rhonda Barter (148) and Jared LeBlanc (67) finished well behind.
Arnold DeBoon had the strongest showing of Action Creston candidates, finishing in seventh place in the council race with 759 votes. His teammates, Lon Hansen (493) and Penny A.P. Anderson (328), were ninth and 12th among the 13 candidates.
Ed Vondracek (536), Daniel Geurts (378), Evelyn Bradford (357) and Myrna Johnson (309) were also unsuccessful in their attempts to win a council seat.
“Obviously I am very pleased,” Toyota said following his victory. “This has been a frustrating campaign, with incorrect information being spread by some of the candidates. I am happy that voters saw through the nonsense, though. I think we have a very strong group to move forward with.”
In the only RDCK director race in the Creston Valley, former town councillor Tanya Wall easily overcame a challenge from Jared LeBlanc, outpolling him 568 to 112 to become Area B director.
“I am very excited,” Wall said on Saturday. “I can hardly wait to get to work!”
Area C director Larry Binks and Area A director Garry Jackman were returned to their positions by acclamation.
Rebecca Huscroft, chair of the School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake) board of education, was returned to represent the South Rural zone. She will be joined on the board by newcomer Cody Beebe, who outpolled Huscroft by 20 votes. Beebe took 504 votes and Huscroft had 484. Challengers Verna Mayers-McKenzie (355) and Ken Vaughn-Evans (348) were unsuccessful.
Heather Suttie was acclaimed to represent Creston as a trustee.
It appears that West Creston will finally be getting certified fire protection. The issue was put to a referendum after a formal survey showed support for the service was almost evenly split. The referendum passed easily, 146-82.
The referendum question was, “Are you in favour of the Regional District of Central Kootenay adopting Bylaw Nos. 2408 and 2409 to provide for the following:
“-The establishment of the 'West Creston Fire Protection Area Service' for a portion of Electoral Area C (West Creston) with an annual requisition (including the repayment of borrowing) not to exceed $117,000 or $1.50 per $1,000 of net taxable value of land and improvements within the service area, whichever is greater; and
“- the borrowing of up to $450,000 dollars, for a term not to exceed 20 years, for capital purposes associated with the construction of a building and acquisition of fixtures, furniture, and services related to the provision of services for the West Creston Fire Protection Service Area?”
Area A voters joined Areas D and E to create a conservation fund. The referendum passed by a narrow 1128-1042 margin. It read, “Are you in favour of the Regional District of Central Kootenay adopting Bylaw No. 2420 to provide for the following:
“- establish the 'Regional District of Central Kootenay Local Conservation Fund Service' within Electoral Areas A, D and E; and
“- annually requisition up to a maximum of $106,500 or $0.062 per $1,000 of taxable assessed value of land and improvements, whichever is greater, to be collected by an annual parcel tax?”
Riondel voters rejected a proposal to borrow up to $1.2 million to renovate their community centre. The vote was 116-31 against.
“I am very excited that Creston residents voted for me,” Boehmer said on Monday. “I was very humbled to receive the most votes while running for the first time, just like my grandfather, Bill Herchmer, did in 1981. I believe that we have a fantastic mayor and council, and I am ready to serve the community and represent the residents of Creston, whether they voted for me or not.”
Karen Unruh was quick to reply when asked what excited her about being elected to council.
“I don’t even have to think about it,” she said. “My small team believed in me and when they offered their support for me to run, I said ‘Let’s go for it!’ And that is what we did. Creston and the valley have so many opportunities. I can hardly wait to get started.”
“I am really excited to work with the great team that Creston has elected to council to guide the direction of this lovely little town,” Jen Comer said. “I am looking forward to working with this community to create a vibrant and thriving place to live.”
As she enters her fourth term on town council, Joanna Wilson becomes the member with the longest consecutive service.
“As the new term begins, I look forward to conversations around ideas and vision of the new councillors from which goals of the new council can be identified,” she said. “It is my hope to see good works of the past council continue as the new council sees fit. As well, I feel it is important to address issues with the philosophical approach that things can always be done better.”
Retired insurance agency owner Jim Elford has a long history of community involvement.
“First, I’d like to thank the citizens of Creston for their support and congratulate all the candidates for putting their names forward and running good campaigns,” he said. “There was an excellent group of candidates available and the public has chosen a diverse council. We have local government experience, business experience and some excellent educational background in the group. I look forward to working with the new council. I think I will learn lots from the group and am excited about the opportunity.”
For his part, Toyota said he is excited by the makeup of the new council and its blend of experience, education and gender. There won’t be much time for the victory celebrations to continue. Consultant Dr. Gord MacIntosh will be in Creston on Monday and Tuesday to lead an orientation session for town council.
“We booked him several months ago,” Toyota said. “He worked with George Cuff years ago, and he’s one of the best.”
Toyota said he will be meeting with each councillor to discuss their various assignments and that an inauguration will be held on Dec. 1.
“Then we will get into strategic planning,” he said.
He listed his own priorities as the realignment of Highway 3 to Cook Street, revitalizing the downtown core and economic development.
“They all interrelate,” he said.
He also wants to work with regional directors from RDCK Areas A, B and C to co-ordinate an economic development plan.
“It needs money, and I don’t really know at this point where it will come from.”
All vote tallies are considered unofficial. The 2014 local government elections mark a change to four-year terms for all successful candidates.