Prince George now has two young voices on city council.
While electors voted in six incumbents, two young newcomers, Kyle Sampson and Cori Ramsay, now have a seat at the table.
“I worked my butt off for it but at the same time it’s really great to have all of my hard work reinforced today,” 31-year-old Ramsay tells PrinceGeorgeMatters while she was gathered with friends and family at Betulla Burning to watch the results come in.
“I think that young people are the voice of our future we have two Chamber Top 40 under 40 leaders on council now, and I think we are going to lead our city into the future,” she says.
Prior to the election, Ramsay was named a Prince George Chamber of Commerce Top 40 under 40 leader, and Sampson was a finalist.
“I think Prince George has so much to offer young people; there is so much opportunity here and I want to see us grow. I want to see all of our sectors flourish and thrive — there is so much here and I can’t wait to see what that looks like,” says Ramsay.
“Young people make up a lot of the demographics of Prince George, so having a young female and male councillor, it means that we will have a more well-rounded council that will reflect the voices of the people.”
Sampson, who got the second most votes behind incumbent Brian Skakun, says he didn’t go into the race with any expectations.
“I went into this hoping for the best and to do my best and earn the support of Prince George,” the 25-year-old says, adding he feels really proud and humbled to have placed so well.
“I am excited to get to work and have six great incumbents to learn from and a fellow councillor to learn and bring ideas forward with, and I think it’s a great team.”
Mayor Lyn Hall with his wife, campaign manager, and daughters shortly after realizing he was re-elected. (via Hanna Petersen)“It was hard to believe, the numbers came in for the advance and mail-in ballots, and they were really strong,” says Sampson. “I am excited, and overwhelmed, and really happy, and proud — it’s been a really good night.”
Mayor Lyn Hall also hosted an election night event at the Sandman Signature Hotel, where he gave a speech to a crowd of family, friends and supporters after learning he had been reelected as mayor of Prince George.
“I am so humbled with the support and it’s a real privilege for me to be the mayor of Prince George. It’s a fantastic city and I am really looking forward to the next four years,” Hall tells PrinceGeorgeMatters, shortly after his speech.
Hall adds in four years’ time he sees Prince George as a city that has come into its own.
“I see a really vibrant city where people across the country — not just in the province — know what Prince George has to offer, and what we have to offer is a tremendous amount to young people and to people that are just getting started.”
Hall says now that the campaigning is behind him, he’s ready to get back to work.
— with files from Jessica Fedigan
