Surrey: Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner to a growing list of B-C mayors who won’t be seeking re-election this fall.
Hepner holds a news conference on Tuesday after issuing an email confirming she will not run again when her four-year term ends in November.
The 68-year-old says one term as mayor, nine as a councillor and more than 20 as a senior staff member are enough — but she is proud of her work in transforming Surrey from a modest suburb to the region’s second metropolitan centre.
Hepner joins Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson and mayors in several other Metro Vancouver municipalities — including North Vancouver City and District, Delta, Port Coquitlam, White Rock, Langley and Maple Ridge — in announcing they are stepping down
For 33 years the City of Surrey has been a chosen priority in my life and I have been honoured to serve the people of this City.
Now after this four year term as Mayor, nine years as Councillor and more than two decades as a senior staff member, I have decided not to seek re-election at the end of this Council term.
During my time with Surrey, the City has evolved from a modest suburb into the region’s second metropolitan centre and a globally recognized leading edge city. I am very proud to have contributed to this transformation, but there will always be more to do, more to achieve and, therefore, there is never an ideal time to leave.
I have thought long and hard about this and it has not been an easy decision to make, but I sincerely believe that now is the right time to dedicate more time to my family and friends.
I look forward to serving out my term as Mayor as we finalize the largest investment in transportation and housing in the City’s history. In my more than three decades at the City of Surrey, I have had the pleasure to work with remarkable people at all levels and I have made many friends along the way. To all the staff at the City, I want to thank you for the exceptional work you have done and continue to do. Finally, I want to give my heartfelt thanks to the people of Surrey for their ongoing trust and support. It has been an honour and privilege to serve you and the City of Surrey.
