Harvie wins mayoral contest on pledge to build new bridge
Delta’s new mayor George Harvie said his top priorities include lobbying for a new crossing over the Fraser River and overhauling the building permit application process.
“We need a new bridge — that is the number-one concern I have heard in South Delta and North Delta,” he told reporters Saturday evening.
Harvie was in front by a small margin after the advance poll results early in the evening and never gave up the lead.
Harvie’s supporters cheered him as he entered the headquarters of his Achieving For Delta slate in Pat Quinn’s Restaurant at Tsawwassen Springs Golf Course shortly before 10 p.m.
Harvie said his first task is to find a solution to the congestion around the George Massey Tunnel. He also wanted to focus on streamlining the process for applying for building permits.
“We are going to work and we’re going to move this city forward,” he told his supporters after his win.
Harvie served as the city’s chief administration officer from 2001 to 2017.
It was a close race all night to lead the suburban community of 100,000 people.
Harvie received 12,325 votes, or 39.5 per cent.
In his unsuccessful bid for mayor, Jim Cessford finished second with 10,533 votes (33.8 per cent). A former chief of police in Delta for 20 years, he was named the city’s Citizen of the Year in 2009 in recognition of his professional achievements and community service.
Finishing third for mayor with 7,353 votes (26.6 per cent) was Coun. Sylvia Bishop.