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Skakun tops city council |
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Written by MARK NIELSEN
Citizen staff
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Sunday, 16 November 2008 |
Shari Green and Bruce Strachan talk after the election. (Brent Braaten, Photographer)
Veteran councillor Brian Skakun topped the polls in the city council race while newcomer Shari Green finished a surprise second in Prince George's civic elections Saturday.
Skakun, who was fifth in 2005 with 7,308 votes, drew 9,650 votes this time around.
"I'm humbled, it feels really great," he said. "I just want to thank the voters."
Skakun, a power engineer at Canfor's Intercontinental pulp mill now entering his third term, said he didn't campaign any harder than in past elections but believes his hard work over the past three years made the difference.
"What I did in the last three years was take every opportunity, when somebody stopped me in the malls or phoned me or e-mails to do what I could to help address their local issues and I think people really appreciate that," he said.
He said the new council will provide a good balance between veterans and newcomers, but added the new councillors have also a good grasp of the issues and how to get things done.
"It's a good group and I'm excited about the next three years," he said.
At 9,469 votes Green, a downtown business owner, wasn't far behind Skakun.
"I really am surprised. I never expected to see such a tremendous result," she said.
Throughout the campaign Green was clear that revitalizing downtown is her priority.
"I firmly believe that we deserve a thriving downtown as a whole city," she said. "It's not just about fixing one neighbourhood but what it means to the entire community, and I think that's resonated with people for the first time in a long time."
She said the composition of new council includes additional business representation and a younger perspective, noting Garth Frizzell, who owns a software company, Dave Wilbur, a lawyer, and Cameron Stolz, another business owner, are now on council.
Murry Krause, Debora Munoz and Don Bassermann were also returned to council while Shirley Gratton and Glen Scott lost their bids for re-election.
Krause, a social worker, once again finished third, drawing 8,418 votes, which was 347 fewers than in 2005, to win a fourth term on council. Next was Munoz, a clinical neurophysiology technologist at Prince George Regional Hospital, with 8,033 votes, a big jump after she edged out Ryan Yorston by 46 votes for the eight and final spot in 2005.
"That's really telling of the hard work that I've done and I really thank the citizens of Prince George for having confidence in me and for re-electing me," Munoz said of the higher placing.
Frizzell was fifth at 7,831 votes, followed by long-time incumbent Bassermann, a retired school principal, at 7,694, Stolz, with 7,329 votes and Wilbur, who finished 10th in 2005 with 4,590 votes, moved up into the eighth and final opening with 7,254 votes.
"Thank you, Prince George," said Frizzell, while Stolz said he felt "extremely honoured and privileged" to be elected.
Wilbur said the hard work is just beginning. "I know there are a lot of challenges out there and I know that we've got a good complement of people with the passion and at the same time, drive, to make a difference," Wilbur said.
Krause couldn't be reached for comment and Bassermann refused a request for an interview.
Ninth was Scott, an advertising sales rep who had been on council for six years, with 6,801 votes, after finishing fourth in 2005 with 7,544 votes. Tenth was Gregg Kauk, an office equipment sales rep who finished 13th in 2005 with 3,831 votes.
Truck safety advocate MaryAnne Arcand was 11th with 5,459 votes, incumbent Shirley Gratton was 12th with 5,000 votes, after finishing sixth with 6,622 votes in 2005. Social worker Diane Nakamura was 13th at 4,439 votes, 14th was health-care administrator Ellen Cranston at 4,348, 15th was caregiver Trent Derrick with 4,334 votes, sawmill worker Dwayne Stene was 16th with 2,032, retired railway worker Harry Ulch was 17th with 1,996 votes and paramedic Brad Gibbons was 18th with 1,875 votes.
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 16 November 2008 )
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