A Cumberland councillor says she will be resigning at the end of the month after finding it challenging to balance her personal life with elected office.
Jesse Ketler’s resignation was announced by the Village of Cumberland on Friday.
“Balancing the demands of Council duties with my current personal responsibilities has become increasingly challenging, and I believe stepping down is the best course of action for both myself and the community we serve,” she said in a statement.
“It has been an incredible honour to work alongside such dedicated and passionate colleagues.”
Ketler, who was first elected in 2014, was serving out her third term in office.
Her 10 years of office was a time of transition for the village.
Cumberland, a former coal-mining community, has seen its population nearly double in the past 10 years to 4,500.
Mayor Vickey Brown said Ketler played a key role in protecting wetlands and ecologically sensitive areas near Cumberland’s village core during her term.
“I think I can speak on behalf of all of council and the community when I thank Jesse for her dedication to the Village,” Brown said in a statement. “It was a privilege to work alongside her and she will be missed at the council table and all the other places this role takes us.”
From 2019 to 2023, Ketler was chair of the Comox Valley Regional District and helped oversee the region’s reponse and governance throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
A byelection is expected to be held in September, with candidate nominations opening in August.
Council in Cumberland consists of a mayor and four councillors.
