An Independent candidate was the runway winner in a Neath Port Talbot Council by-election on Thursday, May 23.
Dean Lewis, who has never stood for an election before, said it was “a massive shock” to win.
He said: “I thought I would do pretty well but to receive so many votes from the people of Resolven was very unexpected.
“I feel quite humbled by it all.
“It’s a massive weight on my shoulders now, with a lot of expectation.”
Over the past six years Cllr Lewis has been one of the trustees on a community events group in Resolven. He also is a director on the Resolven Miners Welfare building project.
His parents had the Vaughan Arms pub for ten years, having previously run a fish and chip shop.
And his wife, Nia is co-owner of Locks & Lashes, a hair and beauty salon in Resolven.
Cllr Lewis said: “In the short-term I will focus on little projects like getting more dog bins and supporting local litter picks.
“Longer term, the focus will be on a Resolven railway link.
“With the Dulais Valley Test Track possibly going ahead we will have the links, so why not bring it through the whole of the valley?
“It is a burning ambition to see the railway active again, the benefits would be immeasurable.
“Resolven is a small village but has great aspirations.”
The by-election took place following the death of Labour councillor Des Davies, who had been a county councillor for 38 years.
The turnout was 50.38% with the total number of ballot papers counted being 1,179.
Cllr Lewis, who is a crane driver for a machinery company, said: “I knew Des, and it was a shock to hear he’d passed away.
“I thought it would be a close-run thing, but I think people are fed up of parties, and of nothing changing.
“They’ve voted for the man, rather than the party, and I will vote in the best interests of the village.”
