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Courtenay Mayor Larry Jangula re-elected, but just two councillors keep seats

The Maple Pool campground zoning issue appeared to be the deciding factor in who got elected — or not — in Courtenay on Saturday. Incumbent Mayor Larry Jangula defeated challenger Jon Ambler by 3,483 votes to 2,502.

The Maple Pool campground zoning issue appeared to be the deciding factor in who got elected — or not — in Courtenay on Saturday.

Incumbent Mayor Larry Jangula defeated challenger Jon Ambler by 3,483 votes to 2,502.

Jangula said he believed his stand on the Maple Pool issue — plus a lot of door-knocking and hard work — brought him victory.

Just about the entire Courtenay council, though, was wiped out.

Doug Hillian and Manno Theos were the only two incumbents returned.

They'll be joined by newcomers David Frisch, Bob Wells, Rebecca Lennox and Erik Eriksson (who was a councillor some terms ago).

Incumbents Starr Winchester and Bill Anglin were not returned.

Mayor Jangula, who is to the right on fiscal issues and taxation, could have his hands full with this council, who are all, except for Manno Theos, firmly to the left.

A non-binding referendum on paying to help the homeless through an increase in property taxation, was overwhelmingly in favour of the highest level — $10 per year — with 2,444 votes. The $0 option got 1,588 votes while the $5 option got 1,275.

In the school board race, incumbent Janice Caton was returned in Courtenay, but not Donna Gambacorta.

Newcomer Cliff Boldt, a retired teacher, will take her spot.

In Comox, Paul Ives was re-elected mayor, defeating Coun. Tom Grant in a close race.

Ives received 2,276 votes, just 281 more than Grant.

Most of the councillors were re-elected. Returning to office are Hugh Mackinnon with 2,782 votes, Barbara Price with 2,599, Ken Grant with 2,463 and Maureen Swift with 2,275. The newcomers are Russ Arnott (2,659) and Marg Grant (1,896).

Out of 10,509 eligible voters, 4,350 came out to cast their ballots. This year's number of voters is almost identical to the last civic elections in 2011.

Ives feels grateful that voters have entrusted him and majority of his council for another term.

"It's all about trust the voters have placed in us to carry on the things we said we were going to do during the election and also leading up to the election," said Ives. "I think it's a great turnout. That many people that we had coming out, not only on the day of the election but also the advance polls, testament to the people who ran."

Ives paid tribute to his adversary Grant for running a clean campaign and for the way he stood on the issues.

"I respect all the work that he has done as a councillor for 12 years and I wish him all the best in his future endeavours," said Ives. "I know we will see him again as active as he is in the community. So that's really important."

Here are the unofficial election results in Courtenay:

Mayor
Larry Jangula 3,483
Jon Ambler 2,502

Council
Elected

David Frisch 3,671
Manno Theos 3,033
Bob Wells 2,985
Rebecca Lennox 2,835
Doug Hillian 2,592
Erik Eriksson 2,448

Not elected
Starr Winchester 2,338
Bill Anglin 1,900
Marcus Felgenhauer 1,800
Dan Doerksen 1,722
George Knox 1,452
Terry Chaney 1,351
Stu McInnis 1,196

School Board
Elected

Janice Caton 2,265
Cliff Boldt 1,784