Mayor Mark McKee will not be seeking re-election in October.

He made the announcement to local media on Friday morning.

“I felt it was time to announce so that anyone that is thinking about or contemplating running for council or mayor can have the time to think about whether or not it is the right decision for them,” said McKee. “It’s been a great experience.”

McKee said he is grateful for his three terms and that it has been a pleasure to see the community evolve and mature over the course of his time serving the people of Revelstoke.

He has been a member of City Council for over twenty years.

McKee served two consecutive terms as mayor from 2000 – 2008.

During his first two terms he oversaw the sale and development of Revelstoke Mountain Resort.

In 2009 he ran for the BC Liberals as the MLA for the Columbia River-Revelstoke riding but lost to incumbent Norm Macdonald of the BCNDP.

He said this will likely be the end of his career in politics.

McKee will be travelling to Victoria next week where he will be meeting with Claire Trevena, B.C.’s Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation, to discuss the state of the Trans-Canada Highway, the eastern access to Revelstoke, and Three Valley Gap.

He said that as far as he is concerned the only way to prevent more fatalities on the roads around Revelstoke is to twin the highway.

“As far as I’m concerned the only solution to the concerns many in this community have about the state of [the Trans-Canada Highway] is to add four lanes to it,” said McKee.

Reflecting on his career in municipal politics, he said he is looking forward to the future of Revelstoke.

“Some people say that being mayor is a thankless job, but it really isn’t always that way,” said McKee. “Seeing things happen has been one of the best parts for me. There is a lot of thanks and there is a lot of support, and I am looking forward to the future of this community. We are growing. We are changing.”

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