The City of Penticton has a new mayor and his name is Julius Bloomfield.
Bloomfield received the most votes with 3,374, well ahead of outgoing mayor John Vassilaki who only received 2,052 votes.
鈥淚 respect the people of Penticton for what they鈥檝e done,鈥� said Bloomfield. 鈥淚 respect them for the trust that they鈥檝e shown to me and I intend to repay that 110 per cent.鈥�
New to politics community activist Jason Reynen was only 219 votes away from winning the mayor鈥檚 seat. The founder of Clean Streets Penticton received 3,155 votes.
鈥淐ongratulations to Jason for coming out of the gate like that with a very strong showing,鈥� Bloomfield said on Reynen. 鈥淗e鈥檚 got a future in politics.鈥�
Bloomfield, a realtor, has served one term as a city councillor and ran on a campaign of taking a self-described more measured and thoughtful approach.
鈥淭he public expects change, and they鈥檙e just about demanding it from this vote,鈥� Penticton鈥檚 new mayor said. 鈥淭his was a very dramatic vote for change.
Five people were vying for the mayor鈥檚 chair. Penticton resident Owen Hayward received 826 votes and local businessman Corey Hounslow received 492.
Hayward, Hounslow and Reynen have no prior political experience.
Beyond the mayor鈥檚 chair, there has been a complete shake up around the council table. Voters clearly wanted to see change with only two incumbents keeping their seats.
Voters have chosen a much younger council as well.
Six councillors were voted in from a field of 16 candidates.
At the top of the council count is lawyer Amelia Boultbee with 5,618 of the votes, followed by incumbent James Miller who has 4,488 votes.
Next to recieve the highest votes is past Downtown Penticton president Ryan Graham with 4,366.
Former councillor Helena Konanz got in with 3,673 votes and incumbent Campbell Watt with 3653 votes. Isaac Gilbert will take the sixth seat at council with 3,309.
City candidates were:
James Miller **
Amelia Boultbee **
Isaac Gilbert **
Ryan Graham **
Helena Konanz **
Campbell Watt **
Lindsey Hall
Andrew Jakubeit
Nick Kruger
Wayne Llewellyn
Katie O鈥檏ell
Frank Regehr
Katie Robinson
Davinder Sandhu
Larry Schwartzenberger
Shannon Stewart
Around 8:40 p.m. election officials began counting and tallying the ballots.
Penticton residents gathered at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre, where a number of candidates were also there waiting for the results.
All school trustees incumbents were re-elected:
Shelley Clarke
Tracy Van Raes
James Palanio
Barb Sheppard
Two candidates were running to unseat a trustee; Kate Hansen and Lynn Kelsey.
To report a typo, email: editor@pentictonwesternnews.com.
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