There will be five new faces around the Cariboo Regional District board table this term.
Two elected in the Cariboo Chilcotin area are Byron Kemp and Roger William.
Area E’s Byron Kemp took the prize in the most hotly contested race in the CRD where four candidates were vying for the seat.
Kemp, who beat out rival Bill Carruthers by six votes, says while he’s happy with the win he’s disappointed with the voter turn out.
The total number of ballots cast in the area was 326. Kemp estimates there’s many more eligible voters in the area who did not participate.
He was surprised by the public’s response given the fact that there are some “heavy issues” coming up in the Russet Bluff and Mount View areas.
“I don’t know if people are not concerned or what,” he says, adding he’s unsure of how strong of a mandate he’s been given but that he’s prepared to move forward regardless.
“That’s the way things happen. You just have to go out there and do the job that’s expected of you.”
Area J’s Roger William beat out long-time incumbent Alex Bracewell by 67 votes.
“I’m very honoured,” William says.
“It’s going to be new ground for me. I’ll be learning a lot more about the CRD and they will be learning about First Nations.”
William says the win was both exciting and surprising.
“I know Alex (Bracewell). He’s been in for nine years and to be able to beat him in our area is an honour for one thing.”
William is looking forward to sharing regional district information with the community via Facebook and e-mail and bringing area concerns to the CRD table.
The CRD’s election results are now official.