Mayor Ron Hovanes (right) congratulates winner of Saturday’s by-election Larry Schwartzenberger seen left with wife Claire.

It was a tight battle with Mo Basso losing by only 12 votes. Former councillor Bill Ross showed poorly with 53.

Rhonda Bruce placed third in a race of nine candidates with 115.

For a by-election for councillor only the turnout considered heavy… in fact a higher percent turnout than a recent by-election in Penticton which included a race for the Mayor’s chair.

The Oliver results are in:

Schwartzenberger 249

Mo Basso 237
Rhonda Bruce 115
Bill Ross 53
Joanne Bray 38
John Micka 32
Dan Robertson 24
Jeff Ashe 12
Doug Pederson 7

Total vote: 767

Percentage of eligible voters:   21%

767/3572

Schwartzenberger ran in the general municipal election in 2005 and 2008 – placing 5th each time – with four councillors – elected. He did not run in 2011.