Current one-term Revelstoke city councillor Antoinette Halberstadt has announced she won't be seeking re-election in the Nov. 19 municipal elections. It was one of the first official announcements in what has to date been a slow municipal election season in Revelstoke.
Halberstadt made the announcement in a 'letter to the editor' sent to local media outlets late Saturday night.
Halberstadt said her three-year term on council has been "rewarding and worthwhile" and thanked "the many individuals and groups who have educated, informed and encouraged me.
"However, at age 62, my need to look after my own financial needs before I’m too old to work for a living, and the call of my grandchild and of others far from here, mean that I can’t commit myself to the time needed to give it my ‘all,' and giving it my all is the only way I’m prepared to do the job," she wrote in the letter.
Halberstadt has been a left-of-centre voice on council. She is a long-time political activist who is also associated with the labour movement locally, having served a term as the head of the Shuswap-Columbia District Labour Council.
She was outspoken on many issues, often focusing on the social and environmental aspects of civic decisions.
To date, the municipal elections season has been a slow one. With the Oct. 4–14 nomination season about to open, few newcomers have announced their intentions to run for city council, school board or the CSRD Area B directorship.
Revelstoke mayor David Raven is expected to run again. Of the six current councillors, Halberstadt is the second expected to leave. Although he hasn't made an official announcement, longest serving councillor Peter Frew is not expected to run again.
Two potential new candidates have told the Times Review they have reconsidered their foray into civic politics. Former city employee Bob Melnyk had attended several council meetings and also sat on a budget advisory group this year. He has since indicated to the Times Review that he will not run.
Resident Karilyn Kempton also attended a city meeting and was considering a bid, but has also told the Times Review she's no longer considering it.
School board trustee Doug Hamilton is seeking re-election. Although the Times Review has not asked the other current school board members if they plan to seek re-election, Hamilton told the Times Review last week that he expected all incumbents to seek re-election.
One rumoured new school board candidate is former school teacher and Free Spirit Sports owner Elmer Rorstad.
Revelstoke resident and social activist Jewelles Smith has told the Times Review that she is considering a bid, but has not yet decided.
CSRD Area B incumbent Loni Parker has told the Times Review she plans to seek another term as the representative for areas near Revelstoke that are outside city limits.
Nominations are not made public until the nomination period closes, although candidates are free to announce their intentions to the media and public whenever they please.
Are you running for office in the Nov. 19 election? Call Revelstoke Times Review editor Aaron Orlando at 250-837-4667, or email him at editor@revelstoketimesreview.com.