After initially not planning to run again in the Nov. 19 municipal election, incumbent councillor Gerry Tretick has announced he will seek re-election to Gibsons council.
Tretick said he was inspired by Coun. Wayne Rowe's announcement on Sept. 24 that he would be a candidate for mayor, and that caused him to change his mind about seeking re-election.
"I see Wayne as a person I can work with as a civic leader who will bring this community together again in a positive way to deal with important issues," Tretick said.
Tretick was first elected as a councillor in 2005, then ran as a mayoralty candidate in 2008, narrowly losing by 34 votes, and was re-elected to council in 2009 to fill a vacancy left by former Coun. Chris Koopmans.
Tretick has been active in the community as a volunteer seeking to work with people as a team to do positive things for the community. Some of the results of such work are the creation of a still active economic development organization, assisting with funding for the improvements to the Gibsons government wharf, seeking funds for the creation of Winegarden Park and taking a lead role in the eventual building of the Gibsons and Area Community Centre.
Tretick and his wife Noreen have lived in Gibsons for 19 years.
"In that time I have come to understand that our small community faces many challenges. The people who live here value the lifestyle this small town affords," he said. "It is my ongoing concern that maintaining a balance between social, economic and environmental values is paramount to sustaining this lifestyle."
He said he understands that council needs to be careful in spending taxpayers' money, appreciates the value that culture brings to a community and he wants to see Gibsons become a more environmentally-responsible municipality.
"It is always about maintaining a balance," he said.
