The votes are in for the mayoral race in Vernon.

Photo Credit: CHBC News , Cort Smith

Kelowna, CHBC News : Friday, November 18, 2011 7:07 PM

Robert Sawatzky wins by a landslide in Vernon, beating out incumbent Wayne Lippert. "I think we offered a good choice," Sawatzky tells CHBC News. "That is the strength of democracy, to let the voters make up their minds. The voters may not have been happy with the direction it has gone in the past few years, that is why I took the effort to run in the race."

"I'm disappointed of course," said Wayne Lippert. "We have come a long way in six years. We built a lot of good relationships."  When asked his thoughts on why he lost, Lippert responded, "I do not know. I think a lot was communications as far as people not realizing how far we have come. People do not always remember that. Probably some things we did, people are not aware of. At the same time, you have got to respect the voters' wishes."

"Coming in third place sucks," said Patrick Davies, who came in third place. "But at the same time, we accomplished what we wanted to do. We got change at city hall, change in council, got some good people in there."