Penticton has a new Mayor, Garry Litke, who easily defeated his competitors.

Litke told ODN he is anxious to get back to work. He stepped down during the summer as a Penticton councillor to run in the by-election to replace Dan Ashton.

Ballots for Litke 2779, Vic Powell 701 and 222 for Brian Henningson

Mayor-elect Litke says his first priority is meeting with BC government ministers at the Union of BC Municipalities conference in Vancouver to apply pressure for the Penticton Hospital Patient Tower.

Elected as Councillor ~ Katie Robinson …beating out nearest rival Andre Martin by 340 votes.

Ms. Robinson served previously as a councillor and ran in 2011 against the incumbent Mayor Dan Ashton.

Both terms for these individuals is short – having to face the electorate again in about 14 months.

Mayor-elect Litke said he thought the race between Martin and Robinson would be close. He congratulated Katie Robinson and welcomed her back to the council table.

Here are the complete by-election results in a the race for one seat on Penticton council.

1500 Robinson

1160 Martin

0399 Lynn Kelsey

0357 Patrick Buchanan

0275 Kevin Andrews

Voter turnout was light:

The 2013 by-election had 3,752 ballots cast. There were 25,632 eligible voters in 2011, translating into a turnout of 14.65% in 2013. The voter turnout during the last general civic election in 2011 was 8,589 out of 25,632 possible registered voters participating, for a voter turnout rate of 33.5%.

“A candidate declared elected is not entitled to make the oath of office until nine days after the close of voting. Tentative arrangements have been made to swear in the Mayor-elect and Councillor-elect on Monday, Sept. 16 in Vancouver. These accommodations have been made to ensure the City of Penticton is fully represented at the Union of B.C. Municipalities annual convention,” said Dana Schmidt, Chief Election Officer.