Esquimalt Coun. Ali Gaul has confirmed she will not seek re-election in November.
“Really it’s just about my personal, family life and being mid-career with young kids,” said Gaul, mother to two children, eight and 10 years old. She currently works as a part-time co-ordinator of a program for children with disabilities at the Queen Alexandra Centre for Children’s Health.
There is already one seat sitting empty on council, which belonged to Randall Garrison until he campaigned in the federal election and became the new Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca member of Parliament. He officially resigned from his municipal post on May 12. No byelection was held.
Meanwhile, Mayor Barb Desjardins and Coun. Meagan Brame will each vie for another term. Desjardins served one term as councillor before she was elected as the township’s mayor in 2008. This will be Brame's second campaign.
Coun. Bruce McIldoon said he has not decided and won't make an announcement until after council's four-week summer recess, which ends mid-August.
Councillors Don Linge and Lynda Hundleby did not respond to interview requests.
Gaul said she wanted to announce her intentions early to give residents in the community enough time to consider running.
"I openly never went into this looking for a long-term career in politics at all,” said Gaul.
Still, she said she’s not ruling out a future return to politics.
“I’m not stepping back forever,” said Gaul, who felt compelled to campaign in 2008 when the Archie Browning Sports Centre’s future was in jeopardy. She is also a founding member of the Esquimalt Residents Association.
“What’s hard is that there will always be stuff that’s not done yet, sewage being one of them.
“I’ll just be involved in a different way,” said Gaul.
Municipal elections throughout B.C. will be held Nov. 19.
emccracken@vicnews.com