The City of Red Deer will have a new mayor after the upcoming municipal election.
In an open letter to Red Deerians Friday, Mayor Tara Veer announced that after 17 years on council, she will not be seeking re-election this October.
“Serving as your mayor for the past eight years, and as a city councillor for the nine years proceeding, has been an incredible honour,” Veer said.
“I am grateful to the people of the city that we are fortunate to call our home for the opportunity to govern as your chief public servant and represent you as our city’s ambassador to our province and country. After 17 years of elected service, I have decided to conclude my municipal service in order to pursue my next professional opportunity.”
A born and raised Red Deerian, Veer was first elected to council in 2004 – she was re-elected as a councillor in 2007 and 2010. In 2013, she was elected as the city’s mayor and was re-elected as mayor in 2017.
Veer said her prevailing purpose in seeking public office has been the “betterment of the lives” of Red Deerians.
“My vision and commitment has always been to provide common-sense solutions, bridge building, people-first local government – principles that I strongly believe we need in provincial and federal government as well,” she said.
Veer said she is “profoundly humbled” by the citizens who have reached out to her over the past few months to encourage her to seek re-election.
“Your messages of support and hope for our city mean the world to me. Please know that the sunset on this season of my public service will mark the dawn of new possibilities for me to give back to our community,” said Veer.
There is plenty for Red Deer to look forward to in the coming years, Veer said, including the new justice centre in the downtown, RDC’s transition into a polytechnic institution and hosting the World Juniors.
Veer also thanked council, City of Red Deer staff and her team in the mayor’s office.
“Public service is rarely easy and is not for the fainthearted, but it is always worth it.”
So far, four candidates have officially filed papers indicating they are running for mayor of Red Deer in the Oct. 18 municipal election: James Allen, a former cadet who’s held various jobs, businessman Dwight Hickey, former oilfield supervisor Brad Magee, and electrician and entrepreneur Jeremy Moore in the race.
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