You can now add Albert Koehler’s name to the list of city councillors not running for re-election in Prince George.
He joins Jillian Merrick on the list on who’s vacating their spot on the council as we inch closer to the October 20th Civic Election.
The 71-year old says he wants to take a step back following a personal situation earlier this year.
“A while ago I really wanted to run again but then I had to re-evaluate everything because of my age and a health scare, which caused me to think about everything again.”
“It was a difficult decision but everything in life has an end and that has always been me, I’ve been there for two-terms, have done many other things and we’ll see where my health is going and hopefully it’s OK but I don’t know that yet.”
Koehler has five grandchildren and would like to make room for others.
The local politician has been active on several fronts over the past eight years but refuses to look at his accomplishments in an “I” or “Me” sense and instead implemented a more team-first approach with his fellow council members using terms such as “We”, “Us” and “Ours”.
“I have raised awareness or taxes and tax increases and I have led the campaign to get the fluoride out of the city’s water but council has done this and I just started that. I have been active on the education side especially the engineering program at UNBC for the last 20 years.”
“However, it was council and the city who has supported this, so it was not I, it was again we and who knows, without the city or without council it might not have been there.”