Milsom in mayor's seat

UPDATE: 10:55 p.m.

In one of the less surprising results in the Okanagan during Saturday's municipal elections, Gord Milsom was elected mayor of West Kelowna, with 79.8 per cent of the vote. 

Milsom garnered 6,050 votes, compared to 1,257 for Mary Mandarino, the other mayoral candidate. 

"I'm looking forward to doing my best for the community. The opportunities are just tremendous," Milsom said following his win. 

"We have a good team. As far as those members who have been elected to council, it looks like a great group, and I look forward to working with them as well."

Former mayor Doug Findlater opted not to run for the top spot again, but he was elected to council, along with incumbent councillors Rick de Jong and Carol Zanon.

Three newcomers will be on West Kelowna council, including Stephen Johnston who garnered the most votes with 4,277, Jayson Zilkie and Jason Friesen, who edged out incumbent Rosalind Neis by just 23 votes. 

Incumbent councillors Rusty Ensign and Bryden Winsby also failed to get enough votes for re-election, while Duane Ophus chose to run for re-election. 

About 30.9 per cent of eligible voters cast their ballots in West Kelowna. 

ORIGINAL: 9:20 p.m.

Gord Milsom is the new mayor of West Kelowna.

In preliminary results, the city has announced the following candidates elected to council:

• Stephen Johnston
• Jayson Zilkie
• Rick de Jong
• Doug Findlater
• Carol Zanon
• Jason Friesen

Chantelle DesRosiers was elected school trustee.

A total of 7,585 ballots were cast. With an estimated 24,520 eligible voters, this indicates a voter turnout of 29.13 per cent. 

Declaration of official results will occur at 3 p.m. on Wednesday in council chambers.