David Wilks has been elected mayor of Sparwood, winning 55.5 per cent of the vote against challengers Joyce Kutzner and Joanne Wilton, according to unofficial results posted by CivicInfo BC. It will be Wilks’ first term as mayor, replacing the outgoing Cal McDougall.
In council, incumbents John Baher, Brad Bowen and Joe Jarina have all been elected to another term. They’ll be joined by first-time candidates Jason Christensen, Amy Cardozo and Sonny Saad.
Below is the full list of the candidates for mayor and council.
Candidates
Mayor:
Joyce Kutzner
David Wilks
Joanne Wilton
Council:
Wendy Angus
John Baher (incumbent)
Hungry Baytaluke
Brad Bowen (incumbent)
Amy Cardozo
Jason Christensen
Josh Frere
Joe Jarina (incumbent)
Art Mortimer
Sonny Saad
Simon Senycz
Boundary
The District of Sparwood is located along the Elk River near B.C.’s border with Alberta, and about 30 kilometres north of Fernie.
Population (2016)
3,784
History
Sparwood was one of three communities that sprung up amid mining activity in eastern B.C. in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The other communities, Natal and Michel, would see its residents move to Sparwood amid a heavy concentration of coal dust.
Median total income of couple economic families with children (2015)/B.C. median
$139,264/$111,736
Political representation
Federal
Wayne Stetski (NDP)
Provincial
Tom Shypitka (BC Liberal)