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Retiring councillors celebrated
Three seasoned City of Cranbrook councillors hung up their campaign shoes prior to the Nov. 15 election.
Councillors Angus Davis, Denise Pallesen and Bob Whetham all opted not to run for office again and were honoured by the rest of city council and city staff during their final meeting Nov. 3.
Davis leaves behind over 30 years of municipal service, in administrative and elected roles, including four terms as Mayor of Fraser Lake and four terms on Cranbrook council (12 years). Pallesen and Whetham both served two terms (six years).
They all admitted to mixed feelings about leaving public office behind.
“You can tell by the big smile I am actually going to have more time,” said Whetham, before thanking city staff, constituents and fellow council members for their good work.
“I’ve learned so much over the last six years,” Pallesen admitted. “It’s not a road you do by yourself; I’ve done it with 12 people. You can’t share all you learn; it is a mountain of information. But it’s been a great journey,” she said, adding city staff “are the unsung heroes of our city.”
Davis, council’s grassroots member who always shared stories about his days in Fraser Lake or his adventures with his wife Arlene during council meetings, thanks the citizens of Cranbrook for their spirit and support.
“It’s been the best 12 years I could ever have dreamed of happening,” he said before thanking Arlene for her support.
“I just love her so much for what she did. I love you,” he said, touching his heart.
Mayor Wayne Stetski thanked the outgoing councilors for their service and the diversity they brought to the council table, and presented them with gifts from council.
“You want diversity. It makes for better decision-making. I want to thank all of you,” Stetski said. “We’ve had lots of debates and discussions. We haven’t always agreed but that’s what democracy looks like.”
Following that brief ceremony, Stetski’s council performed one final task – agreeing to hold the Dec. 8 council meeting at the Royal Alexandra Hall at the Railway Museum.
Stetski made the motion to hold the inaugural meeting of the council elected Nov. 15 at the hall. He said the spacious venue allows friends and family of the newly elected councilors to attend the meeting, and provides appropriate pomp for the circumstance.
Coun. Diana J Scott said she was ambivalent to the idea and voted against it. “I’m not a big believer in fanfare and hullabaloo,” she said.
Council voted six to one to hold the meeting at the Royal Alex.
And with that, Stetski looked to Coun. Davis to make the motion to adjourn the meeting – a Davis staple – and the meeting came to a close.
Lead image: Coun. Angus Davis, Coun. Denise Pallesen and Coun. Bob Whetham at their final council meeting Nov. 3.
Ian Cobb/e-KNOW
