Grand Forks city councillor Deborah Lafleur says she has made the “difficult decision” not to seek a second term.
“For a number of reasons I do not have the same energy to give to this office as I have for the past four years and have decided to retire,” she told her council colleagues today.
Lafleur said she “thoroughly enjoyed” working as council liaison to her four groups, namely the community trails society, the public library, the recreation commission, and the seniors society.
“I have greatly appreciated those who have supported me during this term,” she added.
Lafleur, who was first elected in 2022, joins veteran councillor Christine Thompson in opting not to run again.
Fellow incumbents Zak Eburne-Stoodley, David Mark, Rod Zielinksi, and mayor Everett Baker have all confirmed they will run again. Councillor Neil Krog hasn’t announced his decision yet. Baker will face former Castlegar mayor Kirk Duff. Shaun Aquiline, who hosts the morning show on Juice FM, will also seek a council seat.
Zielinski paid tribute to Lafleur and Thompson.
“We realize we always stand on the shoulders of those before us,” he said. “We need to appreciate all those people who put in time and effort to get Grand Forks to where it is today.”
