John Ranta is back as the mayor-elect of the Village of Cache Creek after defeating incumbent Santo Talarico with 184 votes.
Four candidates ran for the seat of the mayor this year. Talarico, who defeated veteran Ranta in 2018, got 113 votes. The two other mayoral candidates were Wendy Coomber, who received 102 votes, and Annette Pittman, (70 votes).
With an estimated 800 eligible voters, Cache Creek had 58.62 per cent turnout and 469 ballots cast. The statistics are similar to those of the 2018 elections, which had a 60 per cent turnout with 488 voters out of 808 hitting the poll booths.
Six candidates were vying for the four vacant positions of councillors.
Kelly Debert led with 306 votes, incumbent Sue Peters got 304 votes, former councillor David Dubois got 288 votes, and Carmen Ranta got 255 votes.
The other two nominees for councillor were Jim Douglas (185 votes) and Karla Hein (138 votes).
Mayor Ranta said he is delighted to be reelected after a brief hiatus. In 2018, Ranta lost the election to Talarico.
“The past four years, I suppose, motivated me to run again, because I didn’t see the sort of progress that I had hoped to see with the new council,” John said.
“Going forward, I think what we need to do is identify cost saving initiatives that will allow us to reopen the park and improve the pool, which has been closed for the last three years, to clean up some of the unsightly premises in the community and return Cache Creek to the thriving metropolis that it once was,” he added.
Peters, who was reelected to the council thanked everyone who took the time to get out to vote, as well as those who put their names forward to run for council.
“I look forward to working with our new council, and hope that my experience of the past four years can help make their transition into their new roles a little easier,” said Peters, adding, “We have lots of work to do, and I look forward to the challenges!”
Carmen, said it is an honour to receive the confidence of the people of Cache Creek.
“Individuals won, some lost, concerns were raised, and through democracy, a new council was elected… Our job as the new council is to create a culture of respect, transparency, and dedication, and to build a united vision on the council and in the village,” she said, adding, “I promise to do my best to listen, learn, and work positively as a part of the new council team.”
Dubois said he is looking forward to working with his fellow council members, “on to make our community a vibrant and happy place to live for everyone.”