Tears were shed and hugs exchanged as the 2008 Students’ Union General Election drew to a close Thu., Feb. 14. Four executive positions were at stake with only nine candidates vying for the top spots.
“I’m extremely pleased with the results and am really excited to start my term and get to work,” said SU President-elect Dalmy Baez, who won with 67 per cent of the vote. Baez will be joined next year by incoming vice-president operations and finance Alex Judd, VP events Luke Valentine, VP external Alastair MacKinnon and acclaimed VP academic Pamela Weatherbee.
“Right off the bat, there’s going to be a steep learning curve,” said MacKinnon, noting none of the people in his commission have been involved with the external portfolio before. MacKinnon will be assisted by present VP external Mike Selnes and his predecessor, Julie Labonte.
“I’m really excited we got in, we have some high-calibre people, obviously the people interested in the positions,” said MacKinnon.
Valentine echoed MacKinnon’s enthusiasm.
“I’m in shock, really,” said Valentine. “I’m really excited just to start working. I really can’t wait to work with the other executives. BSD’s going to be wicked, next year’s going to be hopefully even better and I plan to work extensively on it with my commissioners.”
All candidates interviewed expressed dismay over the low voter turnout, which was down six per cent from last year.
Also significant were the results of the referendum questions. Both NUTV and the fine publication you’re reading now asked for an additional $1 a semester from students in order to continue operations and improve services, with the latter rec- eiving its levy increase and the former not.