After winning four terms representing Ward 1 on Prince Albert city council, Charlene Miller has decided against seeking a fifth.
Miller announced at the last city council meeting on Aug. 19 that she was not seeking re-election. She said it was time for change.
“It’s been 16 years and I am greatly honored to be one person elected as councillor for that many years,” she said. “It’s just time for new people, (and) for a new change.”
Miller was the only one of Prince Albert’s eight city councillors to have a perfect attendance record in 2018. Miller was present at City Hall for all 18 regular and special council meetings last year, as well as all 15 public executive committee meetings, and every one of council’s 17 in camera meetings. Miller was tagged as Prince Albert’s most attentive representative according to the city council record.
“I’ve worked on quite a few things over the years. We’ve learned how to work with each other. The way of doing things in the council was great,” said Miller.
Miller said the past 16 years have been eventful. One of her biggest contributions was starting the community clean-up, and she’s proud of how it’s expanded around the community to include schools and other wards. She has organized more than nine yearly community clean-ups.
“Hopefully it continues,” she said. “School participation in community cleanup makes them feel part of the community.
“”I’m always willing to lend a helping hand during Community cleanup week and helping them out and doing what I can for the community still.”
Since being elected to city council, Miller has sat on numerous committees and has acted in the position of Deputy Mayor several times. She attends many events in Prince Albert and volunteers her time to help out many organizations, and has enjoyed networking with colleagues from other cities.
“lt’s a very good experience for council to go to their conferences and learn about other cities and how other cities do other things on a bigger scale for sure, (and) then compare them with your ideas here,” she said.
Miller said she hopes to spend more time with her family now that she’s not running on council, particularly with her grandchildren.
As of press time, no other candidates have declared their intention to run for Ward 1.
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