Chilliwack councillor announces he will not seek a 3rd term

CHILLIWACK – After 30-plus years in policing and eight years as an elected official, Chilliwack Councillor Bud Mercer says he is hanging up his hat for good.

Councillor Mercer announced Wednesday he will not seek a third term on Chilliwack City Council.

In an email sent to Fraser Valley Today, Mercer said it has been an honour and privilege to serve Chilliwack residents since 2018 when he was first elected to council.

“It has not been an easy decision but after 35 years in policing, 5 years in one of our federal agencies in Ottawa and 8 years on council, it’s time!  I have spent the last 8 years on council doing my best not to be a politician,” Mercer said via email. “I have always been candid (some say too candid) and calling it the way I see it. Sometimes without a filter!  While I may not have pleased everyone each decision I have made, each debate I have been involved in and each vote I have passed has always been what I felt was the best for Chilliwack.”

He expressed thanks to his fellow councillors and municipal staff for the opportunity to serve the community.

“These 8 years have gone by too quickly. My eternal thanks to the dedicated staff at our city and the serving mayor and councillors over these 2 terms,” Mercer said. “While we often disagreed on many of the issues and debated aggressively at times, it was always respectful and professional. After [a] vote was cast, we all accepted the democratic process and moved on remaining colleagues and friends. It was a pleasure to go to work. As we move through chapters of our lives we all hope that we have left behind something that is as good or better than we found it. I have done my best.  My colleagues at the table and city staff are friends, we wont be strangers.”

As for who he’ll support in this fall’s election, Mercer said he’ll speak up at the right time.

“You know I’ll have an opinion on the upcoming election,” he said. “I’ll leave that for now but stay tuned! Good luck to my fellow councillors who are running for reelection.  I look forward to helping in any way I can!  Thanks all!”