FRASER VALLEY – As the votes were being counted in municipal elections throughout the Fraser Valley Nov. 15, there were more than a few candidates with UFV connections holding their breath waiting for results. Several alumni were elected to council or board of education spots. Congratulations to the successful candidates, and thank you to all who agreed to serve.

In Abbotsford, UFV alumna Kelly Chahal (named one of UFV’s Top 40 Alumni) was elected as a first-time councillor. She has an MA, BA, and diploma in Criminal Justice from UFV.

UFV alumna and current Bachelor of Adult Education student Shirley Wilson was re-elected as a Board of Education trustee.

In Chilliwack, returning councillors Jason Lum and Chuck Stam are both UFV alumni (Lum is also one of the UFV Top 40). Lum took a variety of courses and Stam earned a certificate in Architectural and Civil Drafting in 1992.

In Hope, newly elected Mayor Wilf Vicktor was one of UFV’s first BBA grads in 1995. He has also served previous terms as Hope’s mayor. He was Student Union Society president when UFV gained university-college status in 1991.

Rose Tustian (a 2013 grad of the Applied Business Tech program) was re-elected to the Board of Education for Agassiz-Harrison.

Susan Spaeti (who earned a BCIS degree in 2003) was elected to Council for the District of Kent (which includes Agassiz).