While Whitehorse residents will be hearing a lot from city byelection winner Kirk Cameron over the next year, this morning, the other candidates had some final messages of their own to relay to the community and the councillor-designate.

Former city councillor Duke Connelly finished in second place.

"I guess the public spoke; what more can I say?” he asked during an interview.

" It's a hell of a lot more votes than I thought I would get,” he told the Star.

Connelly does not believe he will run in the 2012 municipal election.

Characteristically straightforward, Connelly said he learned from this election campaign and is pleased to see a council newcomer take up the reins.

"That was the first time I had stepped in those council chambers, and you know what? I am glad I didn't win,” he said.

"I don't want my old hound dog to have to stay locked at home while I am at council meetings, and I think maybe it's time to hand the job to someone who hasn't been involved in city government before anyway.”

Connelly had a few words of advice for the incoming councillor.

"He's got a lot to learn,” he said.

"He's going to find when he gets in there that he's dealing with a group of people who meet beforehand and make their decisions outside of council. He's going to realize that it's a small world in city council.”

There was a mostly congratulatory mood among the other council hopefuls.

"I am a little disappointed that I was not at the top of the list, but that's to be expected in this situation, and I am pleased for Kirk,” said Norm Hamilton.

"He has worked hard to represent the people of Whitehorse, and now he will have the opportunity to do so.”

Hamilton will again run for council in next fall's election.

"I think this is the last chance for council to make things right,” said Murray Martin, who will not be running in the future election.

"I think Kirk will be a loud voice to support the community and what they want,” said the Star's outdoors columnist.

"I think he is a well-adjusted and balanced man,” said Linda Bonnefoy.

"He brings a lot of experience to the table and surrounds himself with people who are very concerned about the environment and other important issues.”

Bonnefoy will also not seek office in the 2012 election.

There were also words of warning for the councillor-designate.

"We'll all be observing as he goes along, but we're optimistic,” said Hamilton.

"I think Kirk is a well-spoken, articulate guy,” said Kirn Dhillon, who is planning his candidacy for the coming election.

"But I think that with Kirk, they have a career politician, but we'll see what his solutions are.”

Most candidates have also expressed concern over the low voter turnout. Just 19 per cent of those eligible to vote trooped to the two polling stations.

"I'm disappointed with the turnout but certainly, I think they made a wise choice,” said Martin.

"For the approximately 20 per cent of the city that did vote, I am pleased that they stepped up to do that but for the other 80 per cent, I wonder what they expect?” said Hamilton.

"The interaction between the city and the people is the closest interaction there is in politics, and the tendency to shove it aside is truly unfortunate.”

"I learned a lot about the process,” said Mike Tribes.

"And what I learned was that we need to get a lot more people out to vote because it's not good enough right now and it doesn't look like a democratic system.”

Tribes also believes the relatively high voter turnout for candidates supporting the protection of McIntyre Creek, seven of the top 10 ranking candidates, should be taken as a sign of the public's opinion toward development there.

Cameron will jump onto council after it has served two-thirds of its term. He will also arrive during a period defined by the chronic housing shortage, the rapid growth of the territorial economy and the question of environmental conservation, such as the proposed Porter Creek D development.

Last night, Cameron took a moment to offer some words of his own to his opponents.

"It was very stiff competition, he said. "At the all-candidates' forum, there were eight or nine people that I would have voted for in a heartbeat if they were running in the general.

"There were some incredibly strong individuals running. Everyone knew the issues. They were on top of it.”