Image Credit: City of Kelowna
September 07, 2014 - 4:11 PM
KELOWNA – After serving 21 years on Kelowna city council, Andre Blanleil is throwing in the towel.
Coun. Blanleil announced Sunday he is not running for re-election in November’s civic vote.
"These have been important years for the City as we faced some complex issues that came with growth,” he says in a media release. “I'm pleased to have been part of the conversation and played some small part in resolving those issues."
Blanleil feels Kelowna is on the cusp of some significant growth.
“As the economy strengthens and as investment in key infrastructure grows our city and region will continue to attract investors and people from across the country and beyond.”
Blanleil is leaving politics so he can give his business, Andre’s Electronic Experts, his undivided attention as it expands across the province but he isn’t ruling out a return to politics in the future.
"I leave thankful for the experience and humbled by the long term support I've enjoyed as a City Councillor for this great city we are all blessed to live in,” he says.
Mayor Walter Gray announced in March he wasn’t going to run for mayor again.
That decision opened the way for Coun. Colin Basran to express his intention to seek the mayor’s chair.
Coun. Gail Given said she might run for mayor, but hasn’t made that official.
There are reports Coun. Robert Hobson is done with politics after he was first elected to city council way back in 1988.
Both councillors Mohini Singh and Luke Stack are on the record saying they’ll be back on the ballot in November.
No word yet from councillors Maxine DeHart or Gerry Zimmerman.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infonews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014