Another spot has opened up on Maple Ridge council, bringing to three the number of seats left vacant by departing councillors.
Judy Dueck, who’s served four terms, said Friday she won’t be seeking a fifth.
“It was a tough decision. I do love local politics. It’s all good,” she said.
Dueck will stay on as manager of health and safety with the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows school district.
“It has been a great privilege and honour to represent and serve the residents of Maple Ridge as a councillor and school trustee spanning the last 21 years,” she said in a release.
She hopes future councils will follow the current official community plan that sets out the general growth of the district.
The plan calls for residential expansion to Thornhill, the area east of 248th Street, once Maple Ridge’s population hits 100,000.
But that’s going to be a while yet, and residents will have a say in how that growth takes place. “I see commercial opportunities out there which will help offset the cost for residential.”
Dueck expects the new council to begin implementing the commercial-industrial strategy which sets out where industry will grow and is disappointed that the process took so long under the current council.
“Jobs and shopping are still near and dear to the people of Maple Ridge.
“Jobs, definitely jobs is something they need to focus on.”
Cheryl Ashlie also has announced she’s leaving politics and Mike Morden is running for mayor, leaving three vacancies on council to be filled in the Nov. 15 election.
