Peter Couldwell has announced after 21 years as city councillor he will not be running again in the fall election.
By all accounts, Couldwell has left quite a legacy and will be missed.
“On behalf of council and the City of Quesnel staff, I wish Peter the very best and much happiness in the future,” Mayor Sjostrom said.
“Peter is a cornerstore of local government in the North Cariboo and his wisdom and experience will be missed,” city councilor Ron Paull added.
Since 1990, Couldwell has helped raise $3 million for local organizations and was a pioneer in the development of the West Fraser Timber Park.
Given his committment to helping Quesnel become an active and healthy community, Couldwell’s wish list for the future city council is understandable.
“The West Fraser Timber Park is multi-use, it started with just two ball fields,” Couldwell said.
“Now it serves many purposes. As well as the Riverfront trails. I think a lot of people in the community take the trails for granted and don’t take advantage of them.”
Born in 1937, Couldwell has lived in Quesnel his entire life.
He lives at the Hidden Valley Ranch with wife Elaine, where they raised their two children Douglas and Barbara.
Couldwell says he will have no trouble filling up his spare time.
“I will rest a bit, and do some work at the cattle ranch. There are better things to come,” he said.
Couldwell addressed the recent downtown reviltalization project.
“I think the community will be very happy with the new street [St. Laurent st.] and Quesnel needs to work on the infrastructure,” he added.
“The new street will have curved curbs, making it easier to get on and off the sidewalk.
“There’s a lot of pavement that needs replacing, you can only patch a hole so many times.”
Couldwell will miss being on city council a great deal.
“I’ll miss just being there,” he said.
“Up until August of last year, I had 20 years of perfect attendance,” he added, noting his commitment to the city.
“He could hay all day but would never arrive late and always came to the table prepared and well read for the city business at the council table,” Sjostrom said.
To other councillors, Couldwell has simple advice: “Put in all you have and the response will be great.”
