THE TWO new members of Okehampton Town Council are Janet Stanley and John Maguire.

Former barber Mrs Stanley came out on top in last Thursday?s by-election with 610 votes and Mr Maguire received 345, just pipping Patrick Shea who polled 330. Fourth candidate David Weekes received 242 votes.

The by-election followed the resignation of Cllrs Bill Bourne and Robert Owers ? but only 19 per cent of the electorate turned out to vote.

Mrs Stanley said being born and bred in Okehampton and not being afraid to speak out on issues concerning local people had probably helped her to win votes. Providing things to do for youngsters and creating more jobs to balance the growth in housing were two issues she felt strongly about, she said.

The 50-year-old instigated a campaign against enhancement works in the St James Chapel area a couple of years ago to reflect the feeling of the local community.

She said: ?In the day-to-day running of my business I met a lot of people who were frustrated about the work by West Devon Borough Council and did not know what to do about it so I took the bull by the horns.

?I am not afraid to give my opinion or raise issues that people want me to ? being a councillor is about representing local people?s views.?

The new councillor said she was pleasantly surprised by Thursday?s results, but felt it was a shame that more people did not use their vote.

?In my experience people complain enough about things but when they have the chance to do something about it they don?t,? she said. ?We have this wonderful democracy and I have always voted in elections in which case I feel I have the right to criticise.?

Mrs Stanley?s brother, uncle and great grandfather were all on the town council so is she is following in the family?s footsteps.

?In Okehampton our history is terribly important, but I am not stuck in the past,? she said. ?We have to move forward but must not lose the character of the place.?

Former employee of local print firm Inkprint John Maguire said being retired he now had time to fulfill the role of a town councillor.

?I shall be starting by studying the town council?s performance plan which sets challenges, goals and aims for the next five years,? he said. ?Between now and the time of the parish and borough council elections next May it will be a learning curve for me and I will be throwing myself into the job.

?I do not just want to make up the numbers, I very much hope to achieve something.?