Dan Copeland is leaving public office after one term on Delta council.
The city’s former fire Chief said won’t be seeking re-election in this year’s municipal election, but will look back on the last four years fondly.
He joined George Harvie’s Achieving for Delta team in the 2018 municipal election, winning a council seat by finishing with the third-most votes in that race.
Copeland told the Optimist this week his decision to run for public office was based on how much the community has provided him and his family as well as a desire to keep Delta a great place to live.
“As I look back on 40 years of public service with the City of Delta, most rewarding is my 36 years as a career firefighter with Delta Fire and Emergency Services. The last two years working through the pandemic has allowed me time to reflect, and reset, therefore I have made the decision to retire from public life and focus on more time with my wife, our nine grandkids, our family and my 89-year-old mother,” said Copeland.
“I wish those who choose to serve good luck and much success as they move Delta forward into the future.”
He has been a member of council which tackled some significant issues including housing, having approved Delta’s new Housing Action Plan.
He didn’t always agree with his Achieving for Delta colleagues, having voted in opposition to the proposed townhouse development fronting the Beach Grove Golf Club and voting against an application to build another high-rise on 93A Avenue and Scott Road.
Copeland had a distinguished career with Delta’s fire service including the second-longest tenure as fire Chief with 11 years at the helm.
His departure from council, as well as veteran council members Lois Jackson and Bruce McDonald, means at least three seats will have been vacated, guaranteeing a new-look for Delta council following the Oct. 15 municipal election.
