Esquimalt voters showed Saturday that they like Barb Desjardins so much they wanted her back for more.
“Everyone has been so supportive. I have never seen such a team as I have this time. The number of volunteers that I had was incredible,” Esquimalt’s re-elected mayor told reporters at her post-election after party at Gaby’s Restaurant.
Desjardins handily defeated challengers John Ducker, Scott Attrill and David Shebib by more than 2,200 votes.
Her boosters said as big issues loom for the municipality they wanted to stay the course.
“They wanted somebody that had the experience, the knowledge to carry it forward. This community is 100 per cent behind going forward,” said Desjardins.
Desjardins will be joined on council by incumbents Tim Morrison, Meagan Brame and Lynda Hundleby and newcomers Susan Low, Beth Burton-Krahn and Olga Liberchuk.
Low, who topped the poll for council candidates with 2,749 votes, was thrilled with her victory and the new look council.
“I think it’s going to be awesome,” she said. “We were very fortunate of the 12 people who ran for council. They were all quality candidates with good ideas.”
This is Desjardins third term as mayor. She was acclaimed in 2011 and beat then-mayor Chris Clement in 2008.
She hopes to extend a hand to her challengers and hopes they will get involved ith civic government at some level.
“I would sure and the heck like to see some participation in some way. Certainly Mr. Attrill and Mr. Ducker had some great ideas, some great thoughts ... let’s do it together,” Desjardins said.
A total of 4,407 voters – 30 per cent of eligible voters –turned out to vote at the advance polls and on voting day. This is an increase from the 2011 election, in which 2,300 residents voted.
• Esquimalt voters also approved two referendum questions:
1. Are you in favour of the Township of Esquimalt exploring options to achieve efficiencies by further sharing some services with other municipalities? Yes – 3,731; No – 578
2. Are you in favour of exploring the reduction of the number of municipalities within Greater Victoria through amalgamation? Yes – 2,905; No – 1,404.