The new 91原创 Township council will have a mix of incumbent members and newcomers, slate members and independents.

Topping the polls on Oct. 15 was Barb Martens, a member of mayor-elect Eric Woodward鈥檚 Contract with 91原创 slate, and a former longtime Vancouver Police Department officer.

She said getting the most votes was unexpected.

鈥淚鈥檓 completely humbled by the outcome,鈥� Martens said.

She attributed a big part of her success to the whole slate and its platform. Martens was one of five out of the six Contract with 91原创 members who secured council seats.

鈥淧eople want change, they want things done, they want streets fixed and proper facilities,鈥� she said.

She鈥檚 also a longtime 91原创 resident who has worked most of her life in public service, and that has meant she has connected with a wide range of people around 91原创, Martens said.

She said the election of a Contract with 91原创 majority was a reaction to a need for change. Past councils have served 91原创, but there was a need to move away from the status quo, she said.

鈥淚nfrastructure is huge,鈥� she said of her top priority once the new council is sworn in in early November.

A lack of facilities is key, something she says she understands as a parent.

READ ALSO: Contract with 91原创 takes three seats on school board

Preparing for SkyTrain鈥檚 arrival in 91原创 is also going to be on the table, she said.

鈥淲e鈥檝e got five years until SkyTrain comes,鈥� she said.

With three independents on council, she said she is looking forward to working with them, and singled out Coun. Kim Richter in particular.

鈥淚 consider her to be a trailblazer,鈥� for women in 91原创 politics, said Martens.

Also serving with Contract with 91原创 will be project manager Misty Van Popta, longtime incumbent Steve Ferguson, retired firefighter Tim Baillie, and farmer and distiller Rob Rindt.

The newest independent on council will be Michael Pratt, who is best known in 91原创 for his work spearheading a memorial to Canada鈥檚 war dead in Afghanistan, which was built in the Derek Doubleday Arboretum.

After finishing 10th in the 2018 election, Pratt was eighth this year.

鈥淚鈥檝e never been happier to come in eighth place in anything in my life,鈥� Pratt said.

He said it was an honour to be elected. His campaign team worked their tails off, but because they didn鈥檛 have the money for polling, he didn鈥檛 really know how he would do until the votes were tallied.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not a job that I take lightly,鈥� he said.

Pratt wants to deal with the water situation in North 91原创, proper staffing for the Fire Department, and a new master transportation plan for the whole Township, among other priorities.

鈥淏eing an independent means I鈥檓 going to have be open minded,鈥� he said.

Also returning as an independent and an incumbent is Coun. Margaret Kunst.

鈥淚鈥檓 excited for a new council and what鈥檚 in store,鈥� she said.

She said she can work with a slate, and is always willing to vote for good ideas.

Like other candidates, she cited the Township Fire Department as in need of more resources for the fast-growing community.

As for why she was elected, Kunst said she ran a clean campaign and spent a lot of time going door to door, talking to people in person.

She said she likes to think people trust her.

鈥淚鈥檓 humbled by that,鈥� she said.

The remaining independent elected is Coun. Kim Richter, who was first elected in 1999.

Only Ferguson, who joined Contract with 91原创, has served more terms in office on the Township council.