Gwen O’Connell has announced that she will be running for Pitt Meadows council in the Oct. 20 election.
“We need to start working together with citizens again to make sure Pitt Meadows remains an amazing place to be a kid, to raise a family, and to age gracefully,” she said in a press release.
O’Connell previously served 17 years on council, but lost her seat in 2014. She missed getting re-elected by less than 200 votes, with 1,692 total.
Former councillor David Murray had 1,851, which was the lowest number of an elected council member.
“I spent 17 years on previous councils ensuring that we developed in a responsible, collaborative manner while protecting what makes this community special,” said O’Connell.
“I’m asking our community to return me to council because I want to contribute to our city reconnecting to that style of leadership again.”
O’Connell said she will be supporting Coun. Bill Dingwall in the mayor’s race, saying he delivers principled leadership that will “help us listen to citizens again and reignite people’s trust in our local government.
“I want people to feel heard again in this community. Whether someone has lived here their whole life or just moved here, they should feel like a part of this community,” she added.
“We should be able to get around without being stuck in traffic, we should feel safe on our streets and in our homes, know there will be local jobs for our kids, and have confidence that our community will be developed in a way that respects our small town character.
“I’ve lived in this community for over 40 years and raised two children here. This is an amazing community that has always been defined by its optimism, its kindness and our never-ending belief that tomorrow will be even better than today. When our citizens choose our future this fall, I hope they will let me play some small part in writing our next chapter.”