Mayoral candidate Rob Reid (left) arrived at Canoe Restaurant to congratulate Victoria's new mayor Dean Fortin on Saturday night.
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ShareFortin sweeps into Victoria mayor's chair
Published: November 15, 2008 10:00 PMUpdated: November 15, 2008 10:20 PM
Dean Fortin's risk of a seat on city council to run for mayor paid off Saturday in Victoria.
The two-term councillor was voted into office, beating his main challenger for the position, political newcomer Rob Reid.
"We started this six months ago with a simple concept," Fortin said at his victory celebration at Canoe Restaurant. "To build a better city."
Reid, whose supporters were gathered at Front Runners, his athletic apparel store, made a brief appearance a short time later to concede the race.
The picture around the table will be similar to the past council – five incumbents made the grade – but with a few new faces added to the mix.
Coun. Sonya Chandler will be joined this time by fellow Green Party candidate Philippe Lucas, who was barely beaten at the wire in 2005. Cycling advocate John Luton also got in for a first time, while former Saanich-Gulf Islands MP Lynn Hunter is the third newcomer to Victoria council.
Other incumbents Charlayne Thornton-Joe, Geoff Young and Chris Coleman also were returned to office.
As for Capital Regional District board representatives from Victoria, Thornton-Joe, Young and Lucas were named as the public's picks. That vote is non-binding, however, and must be ratified at the council table.
editor@vicnews.com
