Premier Christy Clark could be kept busy as MLA as residents turn to her for help.
Clark and the Liberals dominated Wednesday’s Westside-Kelowna byelection, capturing 62 per cent of the vote. Now that she has a seat, there are expectations that Clark will deliver for the Okanagan.
“It certainly can’t hurt us,” said Eric Foster, Vernon-Monashee MLA, when asked if having the premier next door will benefit the region with major issues.
“She will be around and half-an-hour away and I look forward to seeing more of her.”
Jim Edgson, director for North Westside, which is in Westside-Kelowna, is confident that an already established relationship with the premier will grow now that she is MLA.
“The premier is aware of the issues here,” he said.
“I feel extremely comfortable that the priorities of the North Westside will come forward.”
Topping the list is the need for senior government grants to upgrade the Killiney Beach and Westshore Estate water systems.
“It’s the biggest issue we have,” said Edgson, adding that grants are needed because of the area’s small tax base.
The other ongoing issue is improvements to Westside Road, which is narrow and windy and was recently voted by BCAA members as the worst road in the province.
On Thursday, Clark announced $1 million for paving along five kilometres of Westside Road from Jenny Creek to Caesar’s Landing. The work will begin in late July.
“Westside Road serves a number of the Okanagan’s most popular resorts and campgrounds, as well as over a thousand residents,” said Clark.
“It’s not acceptable to have it named B.C.’s worst road.
Clark received 10,666 votes or 62.70 per cent during the byelection while it was 5,045 votes or 29.66 per cent for the NDP’s Carole Gordon.
The other results were: Conservative Sean Upshaw at 989 votes, independent Dayleen Van Ryswyk at 129, independent John Marks at 71, B.C. Vision’s Jag Bhandari at 43, independent Silverado Socrates at 43 and independent Korry Zepik at 26 votes.
“It was a very strong showing,” said Foster of Clark.
“The people were obviously supportive of the party but especially of the premier.”
The byelection became necessary after Westside-Kelowna MLA Ben Stewart stepped aside to free up a seat for Clark, who led the Liberals to another term as government in May’s provincial election but lost her Vancouver constituency.
“We can now get down to the business of governing. She needs to be in the Legislature,” said Foster.
Final voting results will be confirmed by Elections B.C. July 17 and Clark will be sworn in as MLA after that.
