Mayor-elect Jonathan Cote is getting set to take the top spot in city hall after breezing to victory on election day.
In the Nov. 15 civic election, Cote garnered more votes than the four-term mayor in every poll, finishing with 7,661 votes compared to Wright's 5,149 votes.
"We are so proud of the campaign we ran," Cote said. "We thought we had done very well. It was interesting because we could see in the last two weeks something was happening out there."
On election night, Cote told supporters about an elderly woman he met earlier that day who said she had voted for Cote and Wright, but was told her ballot would be rejected for picking both candidates. When she found out she could only vote for one, she cried.
"Wayne has done an incredible job," Cote, 35, said about Wright, 71. "He's been my mentor."
Cote will officially be sworn in as mayor on Dec. 1.
"Obviously we are very excited about the results. It is going to take some time for it all to sink in. I am really looking forward to the next four years. I think we have a real diverse and talented group of councillors who will be joining me," he told The Record. "I think we've got some opportunities to do some really interesting things in the City of New Westminster and continue the work we have been doing for the past 10 years."
Cote’s first priority as mayor is to tackle New Westminster's transportation issues.
"The Number 1 priority is taking the master transportation plan we have spent the last two years developing and actually work on implementing it and trying to address some of the challenging transportation issues we face in New West," he said. "The last thing I want to do is see that document gathering dust up at city hall. To me, I want that to be the top priority of what the city is working on. I know we've got a lot on our plate, but to me that is the top priority."
Making a decision about the future of Canada Games Pool is also a priority for Cote.
"I am no stranger to city hall. I have been there for nine years. I know all the senior staff very well. It's not going to be the new person (coming) in shaking everything up. I think it's going to be getting the lay of the land and gradually working on a plan to see how we accomplish the big things, whether it be transportation or Canada Games Pool," he said. "I did set out a very ambitious policy platform. I do think it was very pragmatic and very doable but it's going to require a lot of work."
As Cote finishes some work at the Insurance Corporation of B.C. before his final day there on Dec. 12, Wright is wrapping some of his mayoral and police job duties at city hall. He's also been fielding calls and emails from people thanking him for making the city is a better place since he arrived on the job 12 years ago.
"It gives you a lot of satisfaction for what you've done and what you were working towards," he said. "I have had some of the staff come in now and say the same thing, which is good because they are the ones that are going to be doing the work now. They are quite confident. I think there's a great culture in here now of getting jobs done and bringing the city forward."
Wright, first elected mayor in 2002, would have entered the record books as New Westminster's longest serving mayor if he'd won another term. He'll likely spend Christmas in Australia and take some time to ponder his future, which could include a business opportunity in New West.
"I've got a little bit of a plan done. I have to think it through, evaluate it, what it costs, what is the potential. It's going to get a good hard look," said Wright, owner of Olde World Fudge. "If I do something, I'd rather do it in New Westminster than any place else.”
Wright said he called Cote on election night and congratulated him on his win and wished him all the best to keep the city moving forward.
With the newly elected council mayor and council all being endorsed by labour, Wright said they are viewed by many to be pro NDP.
"The people who aren't with labour want to have a voice," he said. "It's up to them to ensure them that they do."
Cote was proud to be endorsed by the New Westminster and District Labour Council, but agrees that city hall isn't the place for partisan politics.
"I think I have demonstrated during my nine years on council that I haven't taken a partisan approach to city hall and always worked for the best interests of the City of New Westminster," he said. "To me, I don't think it is the role of city hall to be getting involved in provincial or federal politics, other than to advocate for the interests of New Westminster. I don't intend to change the way I have approached my work at city hall."
As he prepares to take on a new role as New Westminster's mayor, Cote is planning to follow through with various ideas he put forward during the campaign, including starting a mayor's blog and carrying on with projects already in the works.
"I'm pretty happy with how I'm leaving everything," Wright said. "There's enough in the hopper to keep everybody busy for three years."
