Carson won't run again for council

By Vivian Moreau - Oak Bay News

Published: September 17, 2008 2:00 PM
Updated: September 17, 2008 4:38 PM

Veteran Oak Bay councillor Frank Carson is hanging up his political hat.

"It's just appropriate for me, at this point, to stand aside," Carson said. "It demands a lot of energy and effort and, I think, it's just the correct thing to do."

The four-term councillor served a total of 12 years, from 1993-1999, and 2002 through to 2008.

A Victoria lawyer, Carson said he got into council to work on Henderson Park improvements and expansion at Monterey Centre. He was also drawn to the job to help make improvements to Oak Bay and Estevan villages, as well as helping to establish a tree protection bylaw.

"But perhaps my crowning achievement - and by that I mean myself and council and committe - was the Windsor Park pavilion. That was a lot of fun."

Carson has no intention of running for mayor.

"Chris (Mayor Christopher Causton) is doing a very good job and there is no need to upset the apple cart," he said.

A father of two grown children, Carson said his interest will also shift now to focus on a family orchard in the Okanagan. Carson's father, Frank Carson Sr., also a veteran local politician, died earlier this year.

Oak Bay's mayor said he will miss Carson on council.

"He has deep, deep roots in this community and understands it well. He makes what I call good community-based decisions. He's one of those people that if you need a solution he can think that way, can be creative."

Carson will continue to be involved in the community, perhaps sitting on the parks and recreation commission or police board as seats become available.

Who's in the race

Although Oak Bay municipal staff say no candidates have yet filled out nomination forms that are due by Sept. 20, here's a who's who of whom has told Oak Bay News they will be running for Oak Bay council:

Christopher Causton: mayor

John Herbert: councillor

Hazel Braithwaite: councillor

Allan Cassidy: councillor

Nils Jensen: councillor

Still to announce whether she will run again is Councillor Pam Copley.

The only newcomer is Oak Bay resident Michelle Kirby (see Sept. 5 edition of Oak Bay News to read the profile on Kirby.)

vmoreau@saanichnews.com