A long time face around the council horseshoe is saying good-bye to municipal politics.
Deputy Mayor Shirley McAlary says after 21 years in public life “it’s time” – and – she will not be re-offering for the May municipal election.
McAlary first offered for and was elected to council in 1992. She served as Mayor between 1995 and 2004 when Norm McFarlane defeated her for the mayor’s office. McAlary returned to municipal politics in 2012 as Councillor at Large – she was re-elected and became Deputy Mayor in 2016.
McAlary says “my greatest joy was with the people that I have met, the rich and famous and the wonderful normal, ordinary people like myself.” As for what is next – McAlary says “maybe I will get my own “Dog” or maybe I will get a new job. Who knows?”
The Deputy Mayor becomes the third incumbent to officially announce they are not seeking re-election. Mayor Don Darling and Councillor David Merrithew will not seek another term.
