Banff town council was given a strong vote of confidence in the Oct. 16 election, with residents electing Karen Sorensen for a third term as Banff's mayor, along with all five incumbent councillors.
Banff town council was given a strong vote of confidence in the Oct. 16 election, with residents electing Karen Sorensen for a third term as Banff's mayor, along with all five incumbent councillors.
Prominent conservationist and businessman Peter Poole, who unsuccessfully took the Town of Banff to court over Banff's population cap, was also elected with 873 votes in an election that saw record voter turnout.
Joining top vote getter Corrie DiManno (1,324), Ted Christensen (1,036), Grant Canning (1,023), Brian Standish (991) and Chip Olver (920), Poole is sure to shake things up at the council table with his stand on development and growth pressures.
Sorensen, who was enjoying a victory celebration at Banff's Rose & Crown Monday evening after defeating challenger Hugh Pettigrew 1,223 to 958 votes, said she was absolutely thrilled to be re-elected.
“I was very hopeful I would be able to serve a third term and I am happy to see past incumbents having been elected as well,” said an emotional Sorensen.
“I think it's a good sign that we're heading in the direction that a majority of the population is happy with.”
Mayoral hopeful Hugh Pettigrew was waiting at Banff's Legion with his support team. Not long after the results showed he trailed Sorensen by 265 votes, he started playing the blues on his harmonica, entertaining the post-election crowd.
While disappointed with the result, Pettigrew said it was an honour to run and meet Banff residents to discuss their wants and needs.
“It was not the result I had hoped for, but I really want to thank all my supporters, family and friends,” he said. “I'm feeling good about what I did, no regrets. I stuck to my convictions. Who knows, I may have to try again.”
Pettigrew said he called Sorensen on election night to congratulate her, and they spoke the following morning.
“I wished her the best and said it was a hard-fought campaign,” he said.
Sorensen thanked Pettigrew for running.
“I appreciate the fact that we had an election and I congratulate him on his efforts and for stepping up,” she said.
Poole, who is somewhat of a controversial figure given he legally fought a Town of Banff development appeal board decision on redevelopment of the Homestead Inn, was delighted with the results.
He said so much of what he heard from residents on the campaign trail resonated with what he's been saying.
“People are seeing the concepts of limits and yearning for someone to talk about that and be at the council table discussing those hard issues,” he said.
“What's causing crowding, what's causing parking woes and is that something to do with the overall way we're handling the park?”
Mayor Sorensen said she welcomes Poole to council.
“I think Mr. Poole will bring a lot of expertise to the table and we're happy to welcome him to council,” she said.
Other results were: Allan Buckingham (639), Tony Bumbaco (183), Dave Dickson (285), Barry Ferguson (318), Lorraine Harder (427), Rob Lillington (313), Doug Macnamara (834), Wade Rettie (626), Jon Whelan (550), Christopher Wong (723).
The total number of residents casting a ballot in the 2017 municipal election was 2,215 – the most since the voters turned out at the municipality's incorporation. In 2013, 1,878 residents voted.
