QUALICUM BEACH - The new mayor of the Town of Qualicum Beach is Teunis Westbroek.
Westbroek defeated challenger Mike Wansink in sound fashion, garnering 2,608 votes, to Wansink's 1,478.
Bill Luchmeijer - himself a former town mayor - topped the polls for town council. He received 2,615 votes. He was followed by incumbent Mary Bruilette (2,299), Dave Willie (2,041) and Scott Tanner (1,981). Tanner returns to council after two terms out of office.
Voter turnout was 55.3 per cent — compared with 54 per cent in 2008.
Westbroek made a point of thanking departing council members for their service, and thanked all the candidates who put their names forward to run.
He expressed confidence that the new energy on council will be a positive development for the town.
Wansink said he didn't run for Mike Wansink - he ran for the community. He likened his effort to an Olympic swimmer, who can only do the best they can. He said he is optimistic the new makeup of council will prove beneficial in moving the community forward.