Skip to content

Schwaerzle applauded for long years on council

District of Kent councillor gets fond farewells for service to community

Kent Council spent some time at their last regular meeting saying a few heartfelt thank yous, and goodbyes, to fellow councillor Ken Schwaerzle.

"I want to thank you for your work," Councillor Holger Schwichtenberg said. "And I know you're not going to be idle (in the community)."

Councillor and newly-elected mayor John Van Laerhoven turned to shake Schwaerzle's hand while thanking him for his service.

Schwaerzle sits on the Agassiz Fall Fair board and is active in the local 4H community. As a councillor, his portfolio included the Kent Agriculture Advisory Commitee, liaising between the District and the local prisons. He also sat on the the Agricultural Advisory Committee and the Air Quality and Environment Committee.

During his councilor report, Schwaerzle said he hoped council would continue to work hard for residents.

"I wish you all the best and I will cheer for all of you to do a good job for the District," he said.

 

Dismayed at low turnout

In her official report to council, Bev Kennedy, Chief Elections Officer said she was "dismayed at the low turnout of eligible voters" in the election.

"However, this seems to be a societal trend all across British Columbia as the District's turnout is similar to the provincial average."

She suggested the District consider educational programs, promotions and general awareness to help increase voter activity in the future.

This was the first election that the District of Kent used an automated vote counting system, Kennedy wrote in her report that it was successful.

In years past, six to nine workers tallied votes for up to three hours on election night. However, the automated system had preliminary results available by 8:20 p.m. That information was released to CivicInfo BC and the media by 8:55 p.m.

news@ahobserver.com

Related story:

Post earns seat on council

 



Jessica Peters

About the Author: Jessica Peters

I began my career in 1999, covering communities across the Fraser Valley ever since.
Read more