Fraser Canyon resident narrowly wins contentious FVRD Area A election

if (Array.isArray(socast_page.categories) && socast_page.categories.some(category => category.includes('FraserValleyToday'))) { $(document).on('pjax:end', function() { const newPath = window.location.pathname + window.location.search + window.location.hash; window.location.href = 'https://fraservalleytoday.ca' + newPath; } }

FRASER CANYON/BOSTON BAR – A resident who was partly motivated to run for office after his family was evacuated during the summertime wildfires that ravaged Boston Bar and surrounding communities has won the right to represent the area on the FVRD board of directors.

According to unofficial election results, Attila Banhegyi narrowly defeated incumbent FVRD Area A Director Diane Johnson by a 15-vote margin, 140-125, on Saturday.

Banhegyi, whom Fraser Valley Today profiled in September after he filed to run, said his family was evacuated during the Brunswick Creek wildfires that burned for over a month in the Fraser Canyon.

“The fire directly affected our property, including burning into our backyard, so that experience has influenced how I look at emergency preparedness, communication, jurisdiction and the way the FVRD/EOC and other levels of government, private contractors, and media operate during an emergency,” Banhegyi said. “My candidacy is broader than the wildfire, though. A large part of why I’m running is that I believe an Electoral Area Director should take a much more active role in directing priorities, scrutinizing spending, maintaining and improving basic infrastructure and services, communicating directly with residents, and making sure Area A receives proper representation and diligence from the FVRD.”

After the results came in late Saturday night, Banhegyi released a statement of gratitude to voters on social media.

“As I awake from the slumber after dancing the night away, I want to send a heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported me and believed in me. Especially my family,” Banhegyi said. “Your encouragement kept me going through a tough campaign, and I won’t forget it. I’m proud to have won and excited to get started. To those who voted for any of the other candidates, I want you to know that I will work just as hard for you. I want this result to lead to something good for everyone.”

Banhegyi said he believed the turnout of over 300 votes could have been a record for the area, and acknowledged the work of incumbent Diane Johnson.

“I also want to acknowledge Diane’s service and the support she has given residents,” he said. “I intend to carry that responsibility forward and be someone you can turn to once the torch is passed over next month. Our community has been through a lot. We need opportunities to reconnect, recover and enjoy living here. I will be asking any and all local leaders and organizations to put any differences aside so we can work together on the things that matter to all of us.”

To ensure that collaboration become a reality, Banhegyi said he will begin work on establishing what he called the “Fraser Canyon Leaders Forum.

“The goal is to bring together local government, First Nations, education leaders, ministry representatives, humanitarian organizations, utilities, contractors etc. to address shared priorities throughout the canyon,” he said. “I don’t have the format yet, but the model will be created in a way that it focuses on impact and action rather than just agreements without follow through.I’ve also already been invited to participate in a rural wildfire resiliency roundtable that is being started by a re-elected councillor and friend of mine Dan Stevens from Chase, BC. I want to build on and expand those connections so our communities can help one another protect our homes, land and water.Last month’s festival showed what we can accomplish by working together.”

Banhegyi said he wants build on the support of a recent community event in the Boston Bar area that saw over 300 visitors attend.

“Through the Landfill Society I secured the funding and helped bring three local non-profits together to host it,” he said. “Everyone who contributed helped make it a wonderful day for the community and as with any project, it takes communication and collaboration, but also leadership and vision. Due to the success of the the first event (~350 attendees), we’ve since been offered additional funding for another one. On Monday (Oct. 19), I’m meeting with the same team to begin the planning process. I’m looking forward to bringing the community together again – in even larger numbers! I have a lot I want to accomplish, and I won’t be able to do it alone. I’ll need people willing to work alongside me. Bring your ideas, your experience and your willingness to help, as a friend of mine always says: Many hands makes light work. Thank you for this opportunity. I love this place, and I’m ready to put my energy into its future.”