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HomeNewsVeteran Campbell River councillor opts not to run for re-election

Veteran Campbell River councillor opts not to run for re-election

CAMPBELL RIVER, B.C. – After two terms and seven years as a City of Campbell River councillor, Larry Samson is stepping away from municipal politics.

Samson recently announced that he will not run for re-election on B.C. municipal election day, Saturday, Oct. 20.

The 64-year-old was born and raised in Campbell River and said he cares deeply about the community, but feels this is a time in his life to spend more time with his family.

“It’s a big commitment,” Samson said, regarding his duties as a council member. “With my 34 years in the fire service, and now my past seven years on council, I felt it was time to look at other things, and do different things with my family. It is not only a commitment to myself but also, it’s a commitment to my family, especially my wife and children.”

Samson has four grandchildren in Campbell River and wants spend more time with them, he said.

He also plans to devote more energy towards environmental work such as streamkeeping.

Reflecting on the past seven years, Samson said he’s most proud of the way he has interacted and worked together with fellow councillors.

“You have to be able to work with other council members – if a decision comes up, it takes four votes to get anything through,” he said. “I think working with council, there’s a lot of respect with each other.”

Samson believes council has helped make Campbell River a better place to live. “And that may be the environment, that may be the planning stage in the different neighbourhoods, and also what you see now is more and more young families moving to Campbell River. We’re seeing higher enrollments in all our elementary schools.”

Campbell River’s demographics are more diversified, Samson said.

“I think that’s one of the things the past councils can be proud of,” he added.

When he decided to ran for council for the first time, Samson said Campbell River was “going through real difficult times with the closure of the mill.”

“We were having high staff turnover at the time. There was a lot of apprehension on where the community was going,” Samson said.

“I thought, if I want to make a difference, there was a chance to jump in and try and make that difference. I feel with the other councillors that were elected with me over the past seven years, we have made a difference, if you see how well Campbell River is doing now as we move forward.”

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