There’ll be at least two new faces at the Town of Gibsons council table next term.
Coun. Aleria Ladwig has announced she will not seek re-election come Oct. 15.
“My eldest is hitting the preteen years, and I’m feeling like I need to be home and present for her as she goes through those tumultuous years,” said Ladwig at the Town’s July 26 council meeting. Ladwig said she’s sad to be stepping back and she enjoyed her years on council far more than she expected to. Ladwig thanked her fellow council members and staff, “I’ve really enjoyed working with all of you.
“It was hard for me to say this, because I was really debating it. I’ve been debating it for a long time.”
Mayor Bill Beamish, who is also stepping back from political life and moving away from the community, thanked Ladwig for her service (and added it’s not over yet). “I know the community will miss you. I think you’ve done a tremendous job.”
In 2018, Ladwig was a first-time councillor and received the most votes of any councillor candidate in the Town of Gibsons’s election that year, receiving 1,085 votes out of a total 1,759 votes cast.
Both Beamish and Ladwig said they’re happy to speak with anyone considering running for office. “I honestly encourage anyone to run,” said Ladwig. “It was a really great experience.”
Gibsons ran a virtual candidate information session on July 29, the recording of which is available on the Town’s YouTube channel.
The municipal election is Oct. 15 and nominations are open Aug. 30 to Sept. 9.
