Three city council seats will be filled by fresh faces after November’s municipal elections.
Councillors Carol Leclerc and Brad Pollard have announced they will not be running again for a spot on city council and councillor Bruce Martindale has announced he will be running for mayor.
Councillor Bruce Bidgood was thinking of running for Mayor but announced yesterday he will be running for a city councillor’s seat.
“Each one of my fellow members of council have petitioned me over the last few months to refrain, at least for now, running for mayor so that my experience and leadership will be available to the future council,” he said.
Bruce Martindale has announced he intends to run against Dave Pernarowski for the Mayor’s seat, and a candidate can’t run for mayor and city councillor at the same time.
Carol Leclerc announced last December that she wouldn’t be running for another term on council, and has confirmed her name will not be seen on November’s ballots.
“Nine years i think is time for new faces in council and as an incumbent you stand a good chance of getting reelected,” she said. “If you don’t run you open up the door for other people.”
Leclerc said that with her upcoming free time, she plans to focus on her health and wellness and will also take part in at least one local committee, 2013 Minerals North.
“It’s been a good nine years,” she said. “I’m going to focus on me for a while.”
And as industry in the region is picking up, Pollard who also works for McElhanney Consulting said his other job will require more of a time commitment from now on.
“It’s really hard for me actually,” he said. “I know I’m going to miss it quite a bit… but my job is becoming very busy.”
Pollard said he takes his time commitments very seriously, and has entertained running for a Kitimat Stikine Regional District position as it would require less time and enable him to stay involved in something he loves.
“But I haven’t made up my mind,” said Pollard.
Brian Downie, who has already served two terms as a city councillor, confirmed he will be running again for a city councillor’s seat.
“I’m pretty active in the community, and I like working with people and for people and towards a good future,” he said. “I like to contribute to that.”
Councillor Lynne Christiansen is out of the country and couldn’t be reached for comment.
