For three city councillors not running in the Nov. 15 municipal election, it was an emotional farewell meeting on Monday at the City of Cranbrook council chambers. Councillors Bob Whetham, Denise Pallesen and Angus Davis sat in their last public meeting before the election. The three other councillors, Gerry Warner, Diana J. Scott and Sharon Cross, as well as Mayor Wayne Stetski, are running for re-election.
Coun. Bob Whetham thanked city administration for all of its expertise, the supporters who've stood by him for his six year tenure, the mayor for his vision and leadership and to fellow councillors for their insights and thoughts.
"I've sincerely enjoyed the experience of working with all of you," Whetham said. "On the other hand I can't deny that I really appreciated sitting in the audience last Wednesday at the all-candidates forum, rather than in the hot seat."
"So best wishes to all of you who put your names forward in the upcoming election, I'll be watching on Nov. 15 to see what the results are with interest, but whatever unfolds, I'm sure the city we call home will continue it be served by dedicated people with the best interest of its citizens at heart."
Coun. Denise Pallesen said she's learned so much over her past two terms.
"It's been an amazing journey and I've learned so much from our staff and fellow councillors," she said. "You can't share as much as you've learned, because it's a mountain of information. The budgeting process alone, my gosh, I had no idea. Anyone out there that thinks it's easy to find more money for our roads or infrastructure, good luck. It's not an easy thing to do. You don't think of all the little things that cost us hundreds of thousands of dollars."
Coun. Angus Davis started by thanking the citizens of Cranbrook for providing him the opportunity to be a councillor for the past 12 years.
"It's been the best 12 years I could of ever dreamed as a person coming down here and getting involved in the community," he said.
Davis noted that local government first became a part of his life in 1964 when he and his wife Arline left the Jersey Mine in Salmo to Fraser Lake west of Prince George, then returned to the
"That was out home for the next 20-something years and it was a good community,"
Davis also thanked his wife Arline.
"If it wasn't for that lady over there and some good people who had other people's welfare at heart, who were able to point Angus Davis in the right direction which allowed him to grab on to life and become useful — I hope useful — citizen in the community," he said. "Without Arline that never would have happened."
Coun. Gerry Warner hopes that the great turnout at the all-candidates forum means a great turnout on voting day.
"If it does we can say democracy is alive and well in Cranbrook," Warner said.
Coun. Diana J. Scott thanked JCI Kootenay for putting on the forum.
"I think the citizens have their work cut out for them, 16 great candidates to chose from, that's a lot of people to wade through," Scott said, adding that everyone should read up on the fluoride referendum question.
Scott thanked everyone and said she's enjoyed her six years on council.
Coun. Sharon Cross thanked her fellow councillors.
Mayor Wayne Stetski said for the last three years councillors at the table have represented the constituents very well.
"What you want in council is to have diversity, you want people to have different interests and are to speak to those interests because that's what makes better decisions making in the end," Stetski said. "I said right from the beginning that this council, because of its diversity, was going to be a strong council and would be able to represent the citizens of Cranbrook well. So I want to thank all of you for that."