The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District board will have a recount, as results have come in too close in at least one district. And the board of trustees for School District 70 will have a new look, with three new trustees in the Alberni Valley.
Mike Sparrow was elected in Cherry Creek by a four-vote margin over Darren DeLuca: 194 to 190. According to ACRD electoral officer Wendy Thomson, an informal recount was planned for Tuesday morning because the vote was so close. Election results are considered preliminary until they are officially declared, which has to happen by Wednesday, Oct. 19 at 4 p.m.
Meanwhile, newcomer Susan Roth won the Area E Beaver Creek seat with 374 votes to Cindy Solda’s 182. In Sproat Lake, incumbent Penny Cote has been re-elected. She topped Area D Sproat Lake with 209 votes. Derek Appleton was second with 117 and Heather Powell third with 56.
All ballots in the regional district have to be counted by hand, Thomson said. Numbers released Saturday night included mail-in ballots. Beaver Creek had a high voter turnout this year, she added.
“The election process was great fun,” said Area E director-elect Susan Roth. “Now it’s time to take care of business. I’m taking this very seriously and will do everything I can to ensure Beaver Creek maintains a healthy, rural way of life.”
Roth said she felt the higher voter numbers sends a clear message to the City of Port Alberni that “we’re not interested in becoming one of their sources of revenue. We always hear about the city wanting our tax dollars. It’s not going to happen.”
Roth’s comment was directed at the supporters of her opponent, Cindy Solda, who ran in both the City of Port Alberni and Area E (Beaver Creek). Solda was re-elected to city council.
Solda said her experience running for both governments underlined the negativity of social media during the election campaign. “I believe it is something I will never forget,” she said, adding that she is going to bring up the subject with the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) and Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (AVICC).
“Life goes on and I will only get stronger from this experience.”
New look for SD70 board
The SD70-Pacific Rim board of trustees will look different, with three new members: Janis Joseph, Cherilyn Bray and Helen Zanette. Re-elected members are Pam Craig, Chris Washington and Larry Ransom.
Joseph had the largest amount of votes among the city and ACRD with 3,937. Pam Craig had the second largest number with 2,888 votes. Following were Chris Washington (2,501), Larry Ransom (2,402), Cherilyn Bray (2,262), Helen Zanette (2,001), Jen Smith (1,922), John Bennie (1,800), Rosemarie Buchanan (1,736).
Cynthia Orr was acclaimed for SD70 in Area 1 (Tofino, Ucluelet and Long Beach).
Joseph said she couldn’t help but think of her late father, Winston Joseph, as she celebrated her victory Saturday night. “Thinking of my Dad, who instilled the importance of education, I am looking forward to carrying out his legacy,” she said.
“I am excited to work with our newly appointed board. Working with students, parents, staff, CUPE, district staff and Board of Education trustees is a position I take seriously and know that I will be able to uphold my name and support all members of SD70 Pacific Rim in a positive manner with strong results,” she added.
“I am honoured to receive the top votes and promise to be the person our community needs.”
Preliminary results have been posted on the ACRD website, acrd.bc.ca/2022election.