The newly-elected members of city council are looking good but will have a steep learning curve ahead.

That's the opinion of Coun. Doug Graham, who was re-elected to his third consecutive term last Thursday.

In an interview this morning, Graham said Saturday's first informational meeting of the designated council went smoothly.

Coun. Bev Buckway defeated incumbent Mayor Ernie Bourassa by 530 votes in last week's election.

There are four returning members to council: Jan Stick, Graham, Dave Austin and Dave Stockdale. Outgoing Coun. Mel Stehelin did not seek a second term.

The two new council members will be Jeanine Myhre and Florence Roberts.

'We met on the weekend and I was very encouraged by the new members, very encouraged,' said Graham. 'Both of them picked up on things very quickly.

'They also know that city council is going to be a lot different than they thought it was going to be before they were elected. It's difficult to conceptualize what decisions you're going to make before you get there.'

Graham said he was surprised by Bourassa's loss. He believes the 530-vote margin was aimed as much at council as it was at the departing mayor.

'I never anticipated that (Bourassa) would lose by such a margin. I don't think anyone anticipated the margin of his defeat.

'Mayors are like the lightning rod. If council makes a bad decision, mayors are held accountable. By the same token, if council makes a good decision, mayors get all the credit.'

Graham said he anticipates Buckway will likely carry on in the same way she did during her one term as a councillor.

'Bev was a sharp councillor; I don't think she's going to be any different now,' he said.

Austin said this morning while he too believes the new council will be able to work together as a team, there will be a bit of an adjustment period.

'We're going to have to adjust to Bev's style. She's got a different style than what Ernie did.

'Ernie was a hell of a mayor; Buckway's got some big shoes to fill.'

Roberts said this morning she felt there was a lot of work ahead of her.

'It's going to be a pretty steep learning curve, as I expected,' she said.

'I think we can work together,' she said.

Roberts said she was disappointed only 40 per cent of eligible voters exercised their democratic right at the polls.

'When 40 per cent of people vote, it's disappointing. The people they elected will say (yes or no on issues) on their behalf,' she said.

Myhre said this morning she learned a lot about how city councils function at Saturday's meeting. She was quite surprised to learn what the role of council is compared to what a lot of people think its role is.

'I was surprised to learn the role of council. It' s interesting to see that you're not actually managing the city,' she said.

Members of city council set policy and direction for the city but day-to-day operations are handled by city administration.

Myhre said she feels land planning will be the biggest issue facing council in the coming term.