Trail mayor Colleen Jones will seek another term.
“It’s been an honour and an incredible opportunity to serve the citizens of Trail,” she said in making the announcement in a Facebook video this morning.
Jones was elected mayor in 2022 following four years as a city councillor. In an interview, she said she took her time deciding whether to run again, but in the end it wasn’t hard.
“When something like this is before you, I think you really have to take the appropriate time to think,” she said. “Speak to your family, your friends, and I have lots of good feedback. I think this is something I want to continue with.”
Jones said she’s been pondering her political future for over a year, and especially since council set its strategic priorties: “I was thinking ‘Do I want to be a part of it? Am I still going to be here for this?'”
Although she was in no rush to make a decision, she said people have been asking her about it, so she is putting the matter to rest.
Her announcement makes her the third member of the current council who has indicated they will seek the top job, in addition to councillors Nick Cashol and Terry Martin. That means at least two of the three will not be back next term.
Jones said that while she has never discussed the matter with Cashol and Martin, she regards their candidacies as personal ambition rather than any sign of unhappiness with her leadership.
“Council really worked well together and we’ve done a lot of good things together,” she said. “I think it’s great that people want to step up. They’re excited about the direction that we’re going in, and everybody gets involved to make a difference.”
Jones said she is proud of the work that council has accomplished over the past four years and wants to help carry out plans that have been made.
“I love the city of Trail and I think that we’re moving forward in a really good direction,” she said. “Hopefully I can be a part of that.”
Campaigning officially begins in September and voting day is Oct. 17.
