Terry Trace celebrated her newly won seat on Colwood council Saturday night with friends and supporters at the Country Rose pub, but there was one face missing from the party.

Her mother, who had lived in Colwood for 52 years, passed away in January.

B次元官网网址淭his oneB次元官网网址檚 for you, mom,B次元官网网址� said Trace, smiling amidst the jubilant crowd.

Trace was one of three non-incumbents to be voted in B次元官网网址� the others were 22-year-old university student Lilja Chong and former councillor Jason Nault B次元官网网址� and she brings with her a wealth of experience from the administrative front lines of municipal government.

From her start as a city hall receptionist in 1986, she moved into the engineering and planning departments as secretary, and eventually moved up the ladder to become administrative assistant for the City of Colwood.

B次元官网网址淚 went to all the meetings, did up the agendas. I used to prepare bylaws and policies, and the reports to council. I was personnel manager, I dealt with the lawyers and all the legal policies,B次元官网网址� she said.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e got so much experience to offer. I used to train councillors,B次元官网网址� she laughed.

Retired now for 10 years, Trace said sheB次元官网网址檚 looking forward to getting back in the game from a different perspective. Born and raised in Colwood, she said, B次元官网网址�(The city is) very close to my heart. IB次元官网网址檓 excited and IB次元官网网址檓 going to take it very seriously.B次元官网网址�

She talked about contributing further to the beautification of Colwood during the four-year term and expressed enthusiasm for the cityB次元官网网址檚 direction in sustainable development.

The mix of incumbents and newcomers should provide a healthy mix of experience and opinions, she said.

B次元官网网址淲e just have to make it work. You have to work as a team on council. If you come in trying to be an independent councillor, it just doesnB次元官网网址檛 work. And Carol (HamiltonB次元官网网址檚) got the ability to get people to work as a team. I have a lot of respect for her.B次元官网网址�

Trace added: B次元官网网址淭he last council has done a great job. IB次元官网网址檇 like to see it continue.B次元官网网址�

acowan@goldstreamgazette.com