Image: Fred Talen via Facebook / Voters in the Village of Harrison Hot Springs have overwhelmingly selected Fred Talen (pictured) as the village's new mayor in a by-election held Saturday, Sept. 21. 

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Harrison Hot Springs election

Harrison Hot Springs elects new mayor in landslide, rejects two former officials in by-election

Sep 21, 2024 | 9:50 PM

HARRISON HOT SPRINGS — Voters in the Village of Harrison Hot Springs have selected a new mayor Saturday in resounding fashion and rejected an attempt by a former councillor to become its new mayor.

According to preliminary results posted on the village’s website Saturday night (Sept. 21), and verified by Chief Election Officer Kelly Ridley, residents have voted in Fred Talen, who garnered 541 votes, ahead of second-place finisher Greg Dykstra, who received 204 votes, and third-place finisher and former Councillor John Allen, who finished last with 181 votes.

Ridley told Fraser Valley Today over the phone Saturday night the results become official on Tuesday, Sept. 24.

Talen touted his experience as an Indigenous rights negotiator and conflict resolution specialist in appealing to voters.

“My experience as a Senior Manager and Negotiator will help our Village Council consider all points respectfully,” Talen wrote in a Facebook post.

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Talen said he and his wife moved to Harrison three years ago and appreciated the town’s postcard views and fantastic outdoor experiences, but described the embattled council and mayor drama afflicting the village as disappointing.

“The dysfunction on the Village Council, as well as being disappointing to witness, has been dividing the town and holding back important decisions,” Talen wrote on Facebook. “It’s time for a change.”

The mayoral by-election was triggered after former Mayor Ed Wood resigned in June 2024. Not long after, former Councillor John Allen elected to run for mayor, prompting a by-election for council.

In the by-election to fill a vacant councillor position, Mark Schweinbenz was the overwhelming favourite with 548 votes, a nearly 4-to-1 margin ahead of second-place finisher Teresa Omelus (147 votes). Finishing third was Gary Webster with 131 votes, and coming in last was Wood with 100 votes.