Yellowknife (Oct 18/06) - After capturing the popular vote in Monday's municipal election, incumbent city councillor Mark Heyck was at a loss for words.

"It was unexpected that's for sure, I'm speechless," he said after taking congratulations from incumbent Bob Brooks, his closest competitor.

Incumbent councillors Mark Heyck (foreground) and Bob Brooks look pleased after taking first and second spots respectively after votes were tallied in Monday's municipal election. - Jason Unrau/NNSL photo

Dave McCann rounded out the incumbents who will return to the fold when council is sworn in Nov. 6. The three will be joined by rookies Shelagh Montgomery, David Wind, Lydia Bardak, Kevin Kennedy and Paul Falvo.

"Now the real work begins," said Falvo, who was among the candidates who gathered at City Hall to get the official results, released shortly after 11 p.m.

Sorting out the city budget for next year will top council's agenda, however, Falvo said improving public safety would take a priority as well.

"The issue that kept coming up all over town (during this election) was crime," said Falvo. "That's what people want us to address, public safety."

Montgomery was also surprised with the results but was confident with what would come in the wake of a reconstituted council.

She was among three past and present members of environmental advocacy group Ecology North, including Falvo and Kennedy, to win council seats.

The group has been highly critical of how the city has managed development of residential and commercial areas in recent years.

"I'm looking forward to progressive debate at city council," said Montgomery. "The challenge remains planning and development and improving the percentage of Yellowknifers that are happy with planning and development decisions."

Serving Yellowknife on council since 1987, unsuccessful candidate Blake Lyons made a brief appearance at city hall.

Doug Witty also lost his council seat in Monday's election. Top councillor-elect Heyck paid tribute to both men.

"I know both of those individuals and they worked hard for Yellowknife," said Heyck.

"Blake in particular has served for a heck of a lot of years and I wish them all the best." On the other end of the vote-garnering spectrum was Steven Meister, outgoing Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce president, who took the results in stride and vowed to run again in three years.

"I hope to see council take a balanced approach and remember there are two taxpayers, residential and businesses," he said, adding that there was a good mix of councillors-elect.

"Some are looking at business issues and some are looking at social issues and there's an environmental perspective so I think it will be interesting how that plays out."