There鈥檚 a new face on the Comox Valley political landscape.
His name is Hugh MacKinnon, the Glacier View Learning Centre administrator who prevailed Saturday in a byelection.
MacKinnon, who topped the polls with 660 votes, replaces Ray Crossley for the final stage of the late councillor鈥檚 three-year term.
Tipping his hat to all those who ran, MacKinnon said eight candidates is a testament to the community-mindedness of a councillor 鈥渨ho gave of himself.
鈥淧ersonally, I鈥檓 honoured and humbled to have been selected,鈥� said MacKinnon, who will donate his council stipend to a trust fund for Crossley鈥檚 sons Aidan and Liam. 鈥淚n my mind, it shows that the community of Comox has a huge heart to give me the opportunity to give something back to the Crossley boys, as well as the opportunity to serve the community.鈥�
MacKinnon has a wife and four sons, each of whom grew up in Comox. Along with Glacier View, he has been a school administrator at Vanier and Highland secondaries. He had previously worked at school districts in Terrace, the East Kootenays and New Westminster.
MacKinnon intends to be open-minded, to listen to taxpayers and to do his homework before council meetings.
鈥淪ometimes you need to listen to public sentiment,鈥� said MacKinnon, who likens town councillors to jury members.
鈥淵ou have to keep an open mind, and listen to facts and opinions, and not be afraid to relook at your position and come to a decision then.鈥�
From his experience at large schools and running staff meetings, he realizes votes are sometimes decided by a 51-49 split.
鈥淵ou have to make decisions with your heart, and think what鈥檚 best for your community, and in the end be accountable for that,鈥� said MacKinnon, who believes that encouraging responsible growth and development will help 鈥渕aintain the integrity of a small town.鈥�
Former Comox councillors Barbara Price and Dennis Strand garnered 564 and 521 votes to place second and third respectively. Home Depot manager Pat McKenna earned 366 votes for fourth place in his first run at political office. Former Comox councillors Don Davis (178) and Amie Anderson (81) were next, followed by first-time candidates Nico teWinkel (40) and Derek Bouchard (16).
There were 2,426 ballots, as 23.7 per cent of 10,230 registered voters participated.
reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com
