Nov
29
By Stephen Harrison
The November 19th municipal election saw the re-election of Dean Fortin, but there will be changes on city council.
Incumbents Lynn Hunter, John Luton, and Philippe Lucas were defeated. Taking their place on council are Lisa Helps, Ben Isitt, and Shellie Gudgeon. Helps, Isitt, and Gudgeon join returning councilors Geoff Young, Charlayne Thornton-Joe, Pamela Madoff, Chris Coleman, and Marianne Alto, who was elected in last year's by-election.
Isitt may be familiar to Victorians from his mayoral campaign in 2005, where he finished a close second to Alan Lowe. Isitt ran an extensive on-the-ground campaign beginning in September of this year, and he hopes "to build a fair, safe and green city and region." Voters recommended that Isitt represent Victoria as a CRD director, along with Alto and Young.
In the mayoral race, Fortin received over 60 per cent of the ballots cast. Challenger Paul Brown finished a distant second, with 25 per cent of the votes. Brown ran on the Open Victoria slate, which called for increased transparency in local government, and he believes his campaign may have a lasting impact.
Steve Filipovic ran third in the mayoral campaign. He was a strong advocate for the need to mobilize Victoria's non-voters to participate in local politics. Turnout remained very low, however, at approximately 27 per cent.
There are also changes to the Greater Victoria school board. Incumbents John Young, Dave Pitre, and Jim Holland were defeated. The newly elected trustees are Diane McNally, Deborah Nohr, and Edith Loring-Kuhanga. They will join returning members Peg Orcherton, Elaine Leonard, Bev Horsman, Catherine Alpha, Michael McEvoy, and Tom Ferris.