Sechelt residents have elected a new mayor to lead them for the next four years. Bruce Milne will take his oath of office on Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. during a swearing-in ceremony at the District.
Milne won the top spot in Sechelt’s municipal election Nov. 15 with 2,335 votes compared to incumbent John Henderson’s 1,349 votes and Christine Younghusband’s 565 votes.
“The community came together because they knew this had to be done,” Milne told a crowd of supporters at his election night party, noting there were a large number of individual donations given to his campaign and third party ads purchased in support of him.
“They were people who said our community has got to get through the last three years and the only way we can do it is if we come together and choose community values. We have chosen community values tonight, and I’m really, really proud of you for doing that.”
There were dozens of Milne supporters packed into the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre awaiting the results last Saturday, and while all were pleased with the win, Milne urged them to stay involved.
“The next four years are going to be a lot of work. I don’t want you to go away,” Milne said. “We want you there. We want you to be engaged. We want you to take part. We want you to be giving us feedback so that we know what you’re thinking and we know what direction to go. I don’t want to turn around in two years and find out that Milne and his council are out of touch, OK, so make sure you stay in touch. Come to the meetings, let us know what’s going on.”
In an interview following his public speech, Milne thanked the other mayoral candidates for running.
“I’m really pleased that John Henderson did run for a second term because I think that’s a key part of the democratic process,” Milne said, adding it was important to see what the community support for Henderson actually was.
“As difficult as it might be for John tonight, I think it’s important for the community, so I want to thank John for standing and for running. Christine, of course, has shown that she does have some leadership and we will see her in the future. She’s not going away; she’ll be on the school board, and I’m sure she’ll have a role in our community.”
Henderson said he was “going to support Milne going forward because the community has spoken.”
“The rhetoric aside, we do need to grow, and I hope that now the campaigning politics is over, we can get on with doing the things that we need to do,” Henderson said. “I will support Mr. Milne. He’s got a mandate and I know he’s committed to doing what’s best for Sechelt. I also want to acknowledge Christine Younghusband who stepped up, and all the candidates.”
Younghusband, reached by Coast Reporter on election night, said she wanted to thank those who “shared their kind words and support” during her campaign.
“People are optimistic and I’m optimistic as well, and I want to extend my congratulations to Bruce Milne and the new council. I’m looking forward to the work they’re going to embark on in the next four years, and I’ll certainly be watching.”
