Rachael Ganson made history during her one-term in office as a Spallumcheen councillor.
She became the first councillor to give birth while in office.
On Monday, Ganson was joined by her husband, Jonathan, and their daughter Abigail, as she said goodbye to political office.
Ganson decided not to seek re-election in the Nov. 15 municipal vote.
“It was nice serving with all of you,” said Ganson to her former colleagues as she accepted a framed picture of the township from Mayor Janice Brown.
Ganson was the township’s representative to the Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce board, and, along with Joe Van Tienhoven, sat on the Armstrong Spallumcheen Parks and Recreation Commission.
She also organized the large number of events in 2012 to commemorate Spall’s 120th birthday.
“Thank you for your dedication, time and effort during the last term in office,” said Brown to Ganson. “Your commitment to the community during your tenure on council has been greatly appreciated.”
Ganson’s seat has been filled by Christine LeMaire. The other five incumbents were all re-elected, including Ganson’s father, Ed Hanoski.
Meetings set
The township has released its meeting schedule for 2015.
Council will still meet twice a month for regular meetings, on the first and third Monday of each month with a couple of exceptions.
The first and only meeting in January will be on the second Monday, Jan. 12.
“Due to the holiday closure prior to the New Year, it is recommended, as in the past, that there be only one meeting in January, as there will not be sufficient time for staff to prepare an agenda,” wrote deputy corporate officer Cindy Graves in a report to council.
The agenda for a Jan. 5 meeting would be required to be circulated to council on the Thursday before, which happens to be Jan. 1 and the office, of course, is closed.
There will be one meeting in July and August to accommodate staff and council vacation time.
Two meetings will be held on the first Tuesday of the month, April 7 and Sept. 1 as the Mondays are statutory holidays.
There will be one committee of the whole meetings per month, to be held on the fourth Monday, though extra meetings have been added in January, March and April to work on the township’s financial plan.
