Joyce Behnsen had hoped to be a difference-maker in the Municipality of North Cowichan’s Mayor’s race.
Behnsen finished third to winner Al Siebring and runner-up Jon Lefebure, more than 1,100 votes behind.
“It is a surprise, but I’m OK with it,” she said Saturday night at her campaign headquarters in Duncan as the results were made public.
Behnsen was grateful to the nearly 2,000 citizens who voted for her and she congratulated the newly-elected councillors.
“I had a wonderful time campaigning, hearing concerns and expectations from the public regarding the Municipality of North Cowichan and its direction,” Behnsen pointed out.
“I was looking forward to serving the public with energy and productivity, but have much else to now be busy with.”
She was upset about what she alleged were public attacks against her by Siebring in a campaign ad. “My efforts to help turn North Cowichan around to better serve the people were seen by many as unfounded with calculated misinformation intended to remove my chances of becoming mayor.
“My standing up for and representing citizens, including developers working to get housing built, was taken entirely out of context.”
Behnsen wished the best to citizens with many of the serious concerns that need to be addressed immediately by the new council.
She cited the Coast Environmental smells in Chemainus affecting commercial, industry and residential areas; the Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit on Highway 18 with noise issues affecting the public negatively; and Genoa Bay residents’ float homes and businesses that need a safe, reliable water supply for use and firefighting as among the urgent situations.
Behnsen did not say anything about her future political plans at this point.
