Volker Dammann elected View Royal mayor in close race as council sees major shakeup

View Royal has elected a new mayor following Saturday’s municipal election, with Volker Dammann narrowly defeating former mayor David Screech in a five-way race.

Dammann received 1,131 votes (34.9%), compared to Screech’s 1,058 votes (32.6%), a difference of just 73 votes.

Ryan Painter finished third with 856 votes (26.4%), followed by Anna Becker with 164 votes and Teodora Kristof with 35.

Dammann will replace outgoing mayor Sid Tobias, who decided not to seek re-election after serving one term. The result also ends Screech’s attempt at a political comeback.

Screech previously served as View Royal mayor from 2014 to 2022 before losing to Tobias by 236 votes four years ago.

Dammann, who moved to View Royal in 2021, has a background in technology, business consulting and project management. His campaign focused on traffic congestion, municipal affordability, housing and protecting neighbourhood character.

But the changes won’t stop at the mayor’s chair. Four newcomers have been elected to View Royal council, while just two incumbents will return.

Of the 12 candidates competing for six council seats, the following were elected:

• Gery Lemon — 1,833 votes (re-elected)
• Amy McCooey — 1,767 votes (new)
• Sacha Christensen — 1,765 votes (new)
• Don Brown — 1,472 votes (re-elected)
• Carolynne Clark — 1,402 votes (new)
• Cam Harris — 1,347 votes (new)

Lemon topped the council race and secured her third consecutive term after first being elected in 2018.

Meanwhile, longtime councillor Ron Mattson was unsuccessful in his re-election bid, finishing seventh with 1,334 votes, just 13 votes behind Cam Harris, who secured the final council seat.

Mattson has served several terms on View Royal council dating back to 1990.

The newly elected mayor and council will face several major issues over the next four years, including traffic congestion, housing affordability, infrastructure and municipal spending.

The results remain preliminary until officially confirmed.