West Shore voters hit the polls to choose next councils, school board trustees

ItB次元官网网址檚 election day on the West Shore with polls open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. in Colwood, Langford, Metchosin, View Royal, and Highlands.

At Colwood City Hall, a constant stream of voters has been arriving since the polling station opened at 8 a.m. Getting closer to noon, a line started to form that stretched outside the building, but it continued to move quickly, meaning wait times are short.

Marcy Lalande, chief election officer for Colwood, said the process has been going smoothly so far.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e had a good turnout so far, so IB次元官网网址檓 quite happy, we had a good turnout for the advance polls as well, and the kidsB次元官网网址� election seems to be going really, really good,B次元官网网址� said Lalande. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 one thing we are hoping, that the kids will drag their parents down here to come out and vote themselves B次元官网网址� we are trying for a better turnout than 2018.B次元官网网址�

Lalande said the city is running the kidsB次元官网网址� election for the first time this year. That election allows anyone under 18 to vote using the same format of voter cards and even an electronic counting machine as the official vote, but instead of choosing the next council and school trustees, young voters are choosing which play feature they would like to see built in the community under the cityB次元官网网址檚 Parks and Recreation Master Plan.

B次元官网网址淭hey get to choose either to get a spray feature at Colwood Creek Park or to get a nature feature at Ocean View Park,B次元官网网址� said Lalande. B次元官网网址淲e are hoping if kids get down here, they are going to learn about the voting process, encourage their parents to come down here, and maybe increase the vote.B次元官网网址�

As of around 11 a.m., more than 100 kids had cast their votes, including some who had voted along with their parents at advance polls. While the kidsB次元官网网址� election is not official through Elections BC, Lalande said the results will guide the cityB次元官网网址檚 decision on which feature to invest in.

While those participating in the kidsB次元官网网址� election are likely to be casting a ballot for the first time, many in line to vote in the municipal election were far more seasoned, having made efforts to vote at every opportunity presented to them.

B次元官网网址淲e vote in every election, municipal, provincial, federal,B次元官网网址� said Neil Robb. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 the only time you get to say to people B次元官网网址榳e donB次元官网网址檛 like you, or we want to change you, or we do like you.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�

Robb and his wife Barb said development and densification were key issues for them when considering who to lend their support to on the ballot. They said they feel there is a need to elect a council in Colwood which will manage development through the lens of the Official Community Plan, and give more thought to where in the city higher density construction will take place.

On the ballot for Colwood, Doug Kobayashi is challenging Rob Martin in the mayoral race with 10 candidates running for six councillor positions. Those candidates include Cynthia Day, David Grove, Dean Jantzen, Kim Jordison, Steven MacAskill, Kim Mohns, Misty Olsen, Stewart Parkinson, Sacha Veelbehr and Ian Ward.

Polls are open to Colwood residents at city hall, 3300 Wishart Rd., from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.

For more information on how to vote, .

In Langford, Scott Goodmanson is challenging Stew Young for the mayorB次元官网网址檚 seat while there are 14 candidates looking to fill the six councillor positions. Those candidates include Shirley Ackland, Denise Blackwell, Kimberley Guiry, Colby Harder, Wendy Hobbs, Mark Morley, Shannon Russell Willing, Matt Sahlstrom, Lanny Seaton, Norma Stewart, Lillian Szpak, Roger Wade, Mary Wagner and Keith Yacucha.

Langford resident Jeff Morrow has lived in Langford for 33 years and has voted in every single municipal election. He has his own role in LangfordB次元官网网址檚 electoral history, as he was co-campaign chief for LangfordB次元官网网址檚 first mayor James London.

B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 going to be a watershed moment for Langford,B次元官网网址� said Morrow, noting a number of residents are unhappy about the pace of development in the city.

Two of those residents are Kam and Devin Finch who moved to Langford four years ago and voted in the last municipal election but felt there wasnB次元官网网址檛 much to choose between the candidates. Since then theyB次元官网网址檝e had two kids and bought a house. Schools and making sure infrastructure keeps pace with development was front of mind for them.

B次元官网网址淲e moved to Langford for a specific reason. We just felt like those reasons were not being maintained anymore. ItB次元官网网址檚 no longer the Langford that we decided we want to move into.B次元官网网址�

Polls are open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. at three locations in Langford. They include Ruth King Elementary School (2764 Jacklin Rd.), Millstream Elementary School (626 Hoylake Ave.) and Happy Valley Elementary School (3291 Happy Valley Rd.).

In the Town of View Royal, Sid Tobias is challenging David Screech in the mayoral race with seven candidates running for six councillor positions. Those candidates include Don Brown, Judy Estrin, Damian Kowalewich, Gery Lemon, Alison MacKenzie, Ron Mattson and John Rogers.

The Town of View Royal has two locations open to voters B次元官网网址� View Royal Elementary School (218 Helmcken Rd.) and Eagle View Elementary School (97 Talcott Rd.).

In the District of Metchosin, Kyara Kahakauwila and Marie-Terese Little are in the race to fill the chair that will be vacated by Mayor John Ranns, who opted not to run after serving eight terms as mayor. There are eight candidates in the running for four councillor seats including Mark Atherton, Tamara Ballard, Shelly Donaldson, Sharie Epp, Steve Gray, Jay Shukin, Eric White and Leslie Zinger.

The Metchosin Community Hall, 4401 William Head Rd., is open to voters from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Highlands Mayor Ken Williams will be acclaimed as he ran unopposed. That leaves six councillor seats to be claimed with nine candidates running including Leslie Anderson, Ann Baird, Gord Baird, Guy Brisebois, Ken Brotherston, Marie Brotherston, Marcie McLean, Karel Roessingh and Rose Stanton.

Highlands Community Hall, 729 Finlayson Arm Rd., is open to voters from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.

READ MORE: 2022 Election Coverage

What happens once polls close?

Polls are open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Once they close, the results will be tallied and released. Check out our website and for full coverage of the results once polls close.

Do you have a story tip? Email: vnc.editorial@blackpress.ca.

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