Yard work is the first thing Gail Given is going to do now that she's no longer a city councillor.

"It's a real mess and I haven't had time to deal with it," she said.

Given is, in part, being flip.

Yes, her yard needs some attention.

But, she's also dealing with the blow of not being reelected and has much bigger decisions ahead than what shrubs to trim and what flowers to deadhead.

After serving a term as a Central Okanagan school trustee, Given was first elected to city council in 2011.

In that election she was second in the polls with 13,111 votes behind Gerry Zimmermann, the retired fire chief who became a hero during the 2003 Okanagan Mountain wildfire.

In the 2014 and 2018 city elections she was also the second biggest vote getter with 15,691 and 16,323 votes respectively behind incumbents Luke Stack and Maxine Dehart, respectively.

Going into Saturday's vote, Given sensed something was up.

"Of course, I wanted to continue and I was getting all kinds of feedback that I was for sure getting back in as an incumbent," she explained.

"But, I knew nothing can be assumed and that this was going to be a different election. I knew the majority of people were frustrated and wanted change and that was going to sway the election."

She was right.

Colin Basran, who'd served two terms as mayor and a term before that as councillor, was trounced by challenger Tom Dyas.

And 2018 top vote getter Maxine DeHart just hung on to her council seat as the eighth of eight councillors elected.

Given came in No. 10 of 31 candidates with 9,408 votes.

"It's exceedingly frustrating that despite all our efforts this past term to prevent crime, increase security and safety and solve homelessness, the situation is actually worse today," she said.

"But this is being experienced provincewide. Thankfully, the province recognizes this and some headway with prolific offenders."

Through her elected position with the city, Given also served as chair of the Central Okanagan Regional District board, a role she'll also have to give up after not being voted back in.

Given is proud that she was on council when it completed the 2040 Official Community Plan, the guidelines that will help shape how the city will grow over the next 18 years.

"It's a very significant document, especially because, for the first time, it was done in conjunction with the Regional Transportation Masterplan," she said.

While the Official Community Plan is hundreds of pages, it seems everyone zeros in on what the document has to say about highrises.

The plan recommends highrises be no taller than 25 storeys.

"But, it's just that, a guideline," said Given.

"It's not a hard and fast rule. It's not black and white. So, if a developer wants to go higher than 25 storeys they need a variance and council can consider that and make a decision."

Given is a proponent of Kelowna growing up and infilling existing neighbourhoods rather than sprawling unsustainability up the hillsides.

"Increasing density isn't just about highrises, but they play a part," she said.

"Perhaps some developments just have too much height."

Given was for the 43-storey UBCO vertical campus downtown, which will become Kelowna's tallest building, but she voted against the 42-storey condo tower in the Water Street by the Park project on Leon Avenue.

Given, 62, isn't ready to retire, but she is going to take some time to rest up before her next adventure.

"I'm too active and too involved in the community to give it all up," she said.

"I'll take some time and really consider how next to use my talents and experience."

Before getting into politics, Given worked in retail management for 30 years with Hudson's Bay in Kelowna and Penticton.

Her late husband, Brian, served on council while she was a school trustee.

Given not being reelected generated accolades on Linkedin.

"I wanted to do a post to acknowledge my friend Gail Given’s service to our community," said former fellow councillor Ryan Donn, who didn't run for reelection in order to concentrate on his job as cultural development coordinator in Lake Country.
"Gail was always the most informed on the details of every council package.
It was a pleasure serving alongside you these last 8 years. Thanks for giving up so many summer trips so you could stay in the area to be available for the many summer emergencies you led our city through as Central Okanagan Regional District chair.
All the best in your future endeavours. May you enjoy more travel and time with your family."

Retired deputy corporate officer of the regional district, Mary Jane Drouin added: "A great loss to both council and especially the (regional district). Voters definitely don't understand that loss."

Cam McAlpine of Earnscliffe Strategies said: "We love Gail. Thank you for your years of service to the community."