POUCE COUPE, B.C. - Danielle Veach has won a second term as mayor of Pouce Coupe, defeating former mayor Lorraine Michetti in a rematch of the village’s 2022 election.
Veach received 128 votes, or 53.3 per cent, while Michetti finished second with 75 votes, or 31.3 per cent. Frank Ripley received 34 votes, or 14.2 per cent.
Pouce Coupe mayoral results
| Candidate | Votes | Vote share |
|---|---|---|
| Danielle Veach (incumbent) | 128 | 53.3% |
| Lorraine Michetti | 75 | 31.3% |
| Frank Ripley | 34 | 14.2% |
A total of 240 ballots were cast, with an estimated 610 eligible voters in Pouce Coupe.
The election also produced major turnover around the council table, with three incumbent councillors defeated.
Chad Spencer topped the councillor race with 146 votes, followed by Brianna Carriere with 143 and Tracey Winland with 134. Incumbent Marcel Woodill claimed the fourth and final seat with 131 votes.
Pouce Coupe councillor results
| Candidate | Votes | Vote share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chad Spencer | 146 | 60.8% | Elected |
| Brianna Carriere | 143 | 59.6% | Elected |
| Tracey Winland | 134 | 55.8% | Elected |
| Marcel Woodill (incumbent) | 131 | 54.6% | Elected |
| Kurtis Rabel (incumbent) | 118 | 49.2% | Defeated |
| Ray Johnston (incumbent) | 112 | 46.7% | Defeated |
| James Wall (incumbent) | 107 | 44.6% | Defeated |
Kurtis Rabel, Ray Johnston and James Wall all entered the election as incumbents but failed to retain their seats. Woodill was the only incumbent councillor listed in the results to be re-elected.
Familiar rivals face off again
The mayoral race renewed a political rivalry between Veach and Michetti, who also faced each other in the 2022 municipal election.
That contest was considerably closer. Veach defeated Michetti, a former mayor, by just five votes in 2022, winning 84 to 79.
During this year’s campaign, Veach emphasized infrastructure and pointed to work completed during her term, including lagoon bank stabilization and repairs to residential water infrastructure. She said she wanted to continue building a stable future for the village.
Michetti focused her campaign on transparency and accountability, arguing residents should be informed and consulted when major projects are planned. She also pointed to the development of Pouce Park and the skate park during her previous time in office, as well as efforts to keep taxes low while maintaining municipal services.
This time, Veach defeated Michetti by 53 votes, compared with their five-vote margin four years earlier.
Following her victory, Veach thanked voters for putting their trust in her again, saying it was an honour to serve the community and that she looks forward to another four years advocating for Pouce Coupe residents.