Yellowknife city councillor Bob Brooks resigned on Monday night.
Brooks, the longest-serving councillor in the city’s history, had been due to step down at this October’s municipal election after seven terms.
However, he hastened his departure to take up a position at the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA).
“It’s both a sad and happy occasion for me. I’ve been on council since 1991 – as I’ve reminded council members on many occasions,” Brooks told fellow councillors at a meeting on Monday.
“Tomorrow, I start a new job as the director of community governance. That job will allow me to utilize the 20-plus years I’ve had on Yellowknife city council and marry that with the 14 years I’ve had in policy with the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment.
“It’s going to be the end of an era for me, for my family, and actually for city residents. They may not hear me in the news every week any more – if I can stay out of trouble.”
January 2015: Bob Brooks plans to step down at next election
Brooks, who came to Yellowknife in 1980, highlighted the construction of the city’s fieldhouse and the Northlands infrastructure project as accomplishments of which he was particularly proud during his time on city council.
Mayor Mark Heyck told Brooks: “You’ve approached the job with good humour and you’ve certainly brought that institutional memory to all of our discussions.
“You’ll be sorely, sorely missed.”
Brooks expects his record of two decades’ service as a city councillor to stand for some time. “I don’t see anybody threatening that target yet,” he said.
