Penticton chooses newspaper editor to fill empty council seat

Penticton Herald managing editor James Miller will take the empty seat at the council table.

According to preliminary results, Miller was elected to Penticton city council with 1,666 votes which is 900  more than Isaac Gilbert who came in second place. He was one among 10 people running in the by-election that was called when former Coun. Jake Kimberly retired so he could continue healing from a stroke he'd had months earlier.

Due to COVID-19, it was a muted celebration, but Miller met with supporters at the Prague Cafe, this morning after getting the majority of votes the night before.

In a video post to social media, he said he was “overwhelmed” by the win and thanked the community for its support.

“Thank you voters for this overwhelming victory tonight,” he said.

“I am going to work very hard to be the best city councillor I can for you.”

He said he looked forward  to working with the public and “keeping Penticton the great place it is.”

The preliminary results are:

• Miller 1,666
• Gilbert 766
• Hansen 718
• Boultbee 610
• Brown 399
• Cox 317
• Brownlee 237
• OKell 134
• Blake 95
• McIntyre 67
• Marina contract was YES

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