The Abbotsford Stave Lake P3 proposal has gone down the drain taking with it Mayor George Peary who has been beaten by political newcomer Bruce Banman.

The $291-million Stave Lake P3 water project spearheaded by Peary was overwhelming rejected by 74 per cent of the voters in a referendum on the issue.

Political neophyte Bruce Banman took a lead early in the polls and eventually won the mayor's seat, obtaining 43 per cent vote while Peary trailed behind with 40 per cent.

Other council incumbents who, with the exception of Patricia Ross, supported the P3 plan managed to escape the public's censure and retained their seats.

Newcomer Henry Braun decidedly snapped up the council seat left empty by Lynn Harris, who did not seek reelection.

Voters rejected the P3 plan early in the polls with the No vote hovering steadily around 75 per cent for most of the night.

Banman was swarmed supporters packed into the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium when the results were made official.

"Like anybody, I'm a little overwhelmed," said Banman of his win.

"A lot of times people aren't voting for you, as much as voting against something else.

"I've got three years to prove the citizens of this city they did not make a mistake."

Banman said the single most important message he took from the results was that citizens wanted a more open, transparent government and more public involvement in important issues.

"I want to work really hard on that. That's my style and that's what I want to bring to the table."

By rejecting the P3 procurement model for Stave Lake, voters have also rejected the $65.7 million in funding that the federal government had tied to the plan.

Banman said the city would go back to the drawing board.

"We have to come up with a solution, as I've said before," he said.

"We're going to have to go back to the federal government [for funding]. I don't think they are going to want to say no to us. We've been loyal supporters for a very long time.

I'm sure [Abbotsford MP] Mr. Fast will work just as hard to find more money in a different format that is more palatable to the citizens of this community."

If no federal funding is available, Banman was confident a solution would be found to meet Abbotsford's future water needs.

"We'll just have to figure out a way . . . we're going to get around the table again and openly and transparently talk about what those options were and get some public feedback."

The new mayor said he'd be relying on the expertise of the seven incumbents returning to council.

"I'm going to need the strength of their experience. I'm going to have a heck of a learning curve. I didn't get to where I am by thinking I know everything," he said.

"I'm going to need the strength of the team around me, and I'm going to call on them and the community."

George Peary told crowds outside the auditorium he had no regrets.

I've enjoyed being mayor. I've had a great run," said Peary.

"My head is bloodied but unbowed."

With the rejection of the P3 plan, the city and council were facing some "daunting challenges", Peary said.

"But I have full confidence in Mr. Banman and the other councillors to meet them head on."

Peary conceded his loss was most likely the result of his outspoken support of the P3 project.

"Certainly I was the champion of the P3 water project, and it went down dramatically. It was worse than I thought it would be quite frankly," he said.

"It was repudiated big time by the public . . .I still think I was right. "However, the public disagrees, so fair enough. I wish Mr. Banman the best of luck."

It appears the Stave Lake referendum mobilized the electorate, as there was a 39 per cent voter turnout for the election versus 33 per cent in 2008.

Abbotsford council is now comprised of incumbent Patricia Ross, who led the pack with close to 20,000 votes, followed second by newcomer Henry Braun with 16,000 votes.

Incumbents Les Barkman, Simon Gibson, Bill MacGregor, John Smith, Dave Loewen and Moe Gill all retained their seats.

Trustees elected to the Abbotsford board of education were also, for the most part, incumbents.

Chair Cindy Schafer led the pack with 12,087 votes.

However, new candidate and former principal Stan Petersen who garnered 11,630 votes tailed her closely.

Incumbents Korky Neufeld, Shirley Wilson, John Sutherland and Preet Rai kept their seats.

However, incumbent Uultsje De Jong lost his seat while new candidate and former district parent advisory council president Rhonda Pauls won herself a place on the board.

For more information on the results of the elections check back for updates at Abbotsfordtimes.com.

For more on the candidates' poll returns visit http://www.abbotsford.ca/2011election/results.html.