Thompson, McClure ready to represent Ward 2
By ALAN LICZYK

Ward 2 will have a new regional councillor and a new area councillor looking after their needs for the next four-year term.

Allan Thompson moved up to the regional councillor position after serving one term as area councillor. His vacated area councillor position was filled by newcomer Gord McClure.

Thompson captured 1,430 votes to easily win the regional councillor race. Trailing him were Dave Tatla with 513 votes and Donna Cragg with 371 votes.

"I'm quite happy about it," Thompson said. "I'm looking forward to it."

He added he had a campaign team as good as the last time he ran and he spent a long time knocking on doors. He commended the other candidates who were willing to run.

He was surprised he didn't have as strong a turnout in Valleywood.

"I thought I would have done better there," he said.

During the campaign he heard water was a big issue as well as traffic calming, traffic volumes and creating more activities for youth.

In the next term he would like to see a new multipurpose hard court go in Valleywood.

Thompson believed they had a good three-year term with the last council so he was surprised at the discontent out there. He thinks council needs to communicate with the residents more. He's going to keep his Web site going.

He liked the new electronic voting system used in the election for the first time because the results came in quicker, but he wished it would have given a better breakdown of the polls.

McClure earned his first spot on council by beating challenger Stephen Townsend with 60 per cent of the vote. McClure received 1,390 votes to Townsend's 913 votes.

"I'm sort of overwhelmed," McClure said. "I'll be proud to work for the people who voted for me."

His margin of victory was a surprise to him.

"I had a feeling I'd win but not by 500 votes," he said.

He noted his largest support came in Cheltenham and Terra Cotta. He gave a lot of credit to his campaign team who he said would put anybody into office.

The main issues he heard during the campaign were Highway 410 in Valleywood and taxes.

"Everybody feels their taxes are too high," he said.

He would also like to control growth.

McClure liked the new electronic voting system as well because it brought in immediate results.

"I think it's great," he said.