A longtime Delta city council member and a Delta Board of Education trustee announced this week that they won’t be seeking re-election in this year’s municipal election.
First elected to council in 1988, Bruce McDonald is hanging it up after serving nine terms.
Also retiring from public office is school board trustee Laura Dixon, who was first elected in 2008.
She ran with McDonald, as well as council veteran Jeannie Kanakos and school trustee Nick Kanakos, in the previous couple of elections as a slate of independents.
Raising his family in North Delta and still residing in the community, McDonald has been a fixture on council with his no-nonsense, practical approach.
“After a great deal of personal reflection and discussion with family and friends, I have decided to announce that I will not be seeking re-election in the coming election,” said McDonald in a news release. “I am proud to have been part of the careful development that has led to the continuing privileged status Delta has as a wonderful community to live, work, and play.”
Having twice made an unsuccessful run for the mayor’s seat against Lois Jackson, McDonald has also served on numerous committees over the years and was also Delta’s representative with Metro Vancouver on several occasions.
Having also served as school board chair, Dixon has served on provincial bodies and has been a vocal advocate for adequate provincial funding. It’s an issue that continues to challenge the Delta school district today as the school board this spring faced another operating deficit.
Emphasizing the importance of succession planning, Dixon believes it's time for new perspectives and representation on the board.
“Today, I am announcing my retirement from public office at the end of this term,” said Dixon in a news release. “I came to this role fourteen years ago with a passion for making sure students had every opportunity to thrive. I’m proud to leave now having achieved this goal and having advocated passionately for the work of our tremendous support staff, educators and leadership in Delta.”
Dixon also continues to serve the community through her work with Tsawwassen Rotary and as a board member with local non-profits.
Both Dixon and McDonald also announced they are endorsing Mayor George Harvie’s Achieving for Delta slates for council and school board.
McDonald said there is no one more qualified to lead than Harvie, Delta’s former longtime city manager who was elected mayor in 2018.
“The next council will certainly face difficult challenges. I have been incredibly impressed with the way that Mayor Harvie has led our city over the last four years,” said McDonald.
Dixon described the team of candidates for the school board as a “powerhouse” and the most highly qualified group ever to run.
On hand for Mayor George Harvie’s Tuesday announcement of the Achieving for Delta slate, Dixon told the Optimist she had been approached many times over the years to try running for council but that her passion always remained with children.
The municipal election will be held Saturday, Oct. 15.
