Fruitvale residents will have at least two candidates to choose from for mayor.
Current mayor Wes Startup will seek re-election and be challenged by his deputy, Catherine Guesford, in October’s municipal election.
Guesford announced in a Facebook video that she will run for the top job. She is currently finishing off her first term on council, having been elected in 2022.
“This wasn’t an easy decision for me,” she said. “Over the past few years, I’ve served as deputy mayor and this has been one of my greatest honors. It has given me the opportunity to listen to residents, work with council and staff and the ability to understand the challenges and opportunity that this village faces.”
Guesford was named deputy mayor in 2024 by former mayor Steve Morissette, who resigned upon being elected MLA for Kootenay-Monashee. Startup, a fellow councillor, was then acclaimed as mayor in the by-election that followed.
Startup confirmed his re-election plans in an email. “Hoping for many more candidates and a vibrant democratic process,” he said.
