WEDNESDAY
November 23, 2011
A division of
Vol. 26 No. 93
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COMOX VALLEY RECORD
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New city mayor‘amazed, overwhelmed’
PURPLE PAPER
Phelps ‘appalled’ by low voter turnout, saddened by ‘party politics’ Lindsay Chung Record Staff
Local Soroptimists are helping abused women. ■ 16
ICY HEARTBREAK
COURTENAY MAYOR-ELECT LARRY Jangula celebrates with sons Todd and Craig. PHOTO BY LINDSAY CHUNG
Courtenay mayor e-Larry Jangula ............ 2543 Greg Phelps .................. 2466 Bill Bate.......................... 257 “What that indicates to me is somehow we have this mass polarization of the population, and that’s not healthy for a community,” he said. “The newly elected officials will have to address this.”
Phelps feels that somehow, the municipal election has been made into a left-right issue, and there shouldn’t be any politics at the local level — it should be about who is working to do the best for the community. Phelps is “appalled” by the 28.9-per-cent voter turnout in Courtenay. “In spite of the fact we had 19 candidates, we had at least two groups trying to publicize and/ or influence the outcome, voter turnout actually went down,” he
said. “It’s shocking. It’s very frustrating.” Phelps believes Comox Valley Common Sense, which endorsed seven candidates in Courtenay — five of whom were elected including Jangula — played a big role in this year’s election. “I think they had a major impact on the campaign, which to me is unfortunate,” he said. “I don’t mind if groups come forward, like the Citizen Voice, where you knew exactly who they were, or if it was
... see PHELPS ■ 2
Comox voters return Ives as mayor by a nose Erin Haluschak
Comox mayor
Record Staff
With the closest mayoral race in the Valley decided by a slim 54-vote margin, current Mayor Paul Ives was re-elected in Comox Saturday night. “We didn’t leave anything to chance,” said Ives Saturday immediately after the unofficial results were released. “We knocked on all the doors we could get to, and it certainly was close, and it’s good to see a solid turnout and I’m
e-Paul Ives ................... 2163 Bernie Poole ................. 2109 looking forward to working with a new council once we get sworn in.” Ives, a lawyer, received 2,163 votes compared to challenger and real estate agent Bernie Poole’s 2,109 votes. Poole said despite the loss, he is
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satisfied with the result. “I didn’t hit all of the doors; I thought I would have fared a bit better. I knew it was going to be close. All of the experts told me when you’re going up against an incumbent it’s tough — it really is,” he noted, and added it is too early to consider another attempt at running for the position in three years. “But I’m pleased with my result. I would be much happier if I had won, that’s for sure, because I really wanted to win.”
It was a frustrating week for the Comox Valley Glacier Kings. After winning back-to-back games on the Remembrance Day weekend, the North Division-leading Icemen were back at it facing the South Division-leading Victoria Cougars before returning home to face the Peninsula Panthers — where heartbreak ensued. In what has turned out to be a back-and-forth rivalry, the Kings and Cougars have created a fair amount of strife.
Poole said he doesn’t believe Comox Valley Common Sense group — which emphasized keeping taxes down by limiting spending — who endorsed him, played a factor in the vote. Ives saw their impact on the election differently. “One of the biggest factors in this election was the Common Sense group and they expressed a message. I think there’s a message there for sure around fiscal responsibility that this council
... see COMOX ■ 3
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After nine years on Courtenay council, Larry Jangula is moving up to the mayor’s seat. Jangula received 2,543 votes in Saturday’s municipal election to become the city’s new mayor. He received only 77 more votes than incumbent Greg Phelps, who earned 2,466. Newcomer Bill Bate received 257 votes. “I’m amazed; I’m overwhelmed,” Jangula said Saturday night after hearing the election results. “I want to thank all the people who voted for me and thank the people who did not vote for me being part of the democratic process.” Jangula congratulated his two challengers, as well as all the councillors who were elected and every person who put his or her name forward. Jangula wanted to especially thank his wife Jeanette and his two sons, Todd and Craig, for all their support, and he expressed gratitude to his campaign team. Phelps, who has been Courtenay’s mayor for three years and has been on council since 2003, says his No. 1 concern is how close the election was in both Courtenay and Comox.
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