Tributes for Thorkelson: Council members reflect on a lengthy council career

While her seat may have been empty on Monday evening,
the Council chamber echoed with the name of Joy
Thorkelson, as council members paid tribute to her service in office

The subject of much praise on Monday evening was not in the Council Chambers, but the absence of Councillor Joy Thorkelson on the night did not reduce the enthusiasm which Council members took to  the review of her work as her term in office came to an end.

Monday night was the final session for the Class of 2014, and with the final meeting comes an end to thirteen years of service on Council for Ms. Thorkelson who did not seek re-election this year, with all members of council  taking the opportunity to pay their tributes.

As Mayor Lee Brain went around the Council Chamber, Councillor Gurvinder Randawa began the night of remembrance making note of her placement in the chamber to his left and how she had engaged with him in discussion on many of the issues that Council took on during the most recent term and how she was not shy in expressing her views in the Chamber.

Councillor Joy Thorkelson's time
on City Council came to an end with
Monday's city council session

Councillor Cunningham's observations made for the most comprehensive review of her work on Council and in the community, noting how she had been the one who had pushed him towards seeking a set on Council.

He noted her passion for the fishing industry, as well as a range of social issues in the community and how she has been a strong advocate for the City and the Council.

"She has always held us to a higher standard at any time, she expects a lot from us and we've at times fought tooth and nail with her and that, but at the end of the day we all walked out of here smiling. And I just think that she deserves a lot of accolades for what she's done" -- Councillor Barry Cunningham on Joy Thorkelson's work on Council and in the community

Councillor Niesh, reflected on some of the time that she has put into service to the community on City Council since her first election of 2005.

Councillor Mirau, echoed some of Mr. Niesh's comments and expanded as to how as the ranking councillor she served as an example on preparation for council members and how she had helped to make him a better councillor

Mayor Brain made note that Ms. Thorkelson has been mentoring him for a long time in his life, observing how he and her children attended first French Immersion at Westview and then went to high school together.

He paid tribute to her work on Council and her dedication towards addressing issues of unfairness, as well as to reflect on her professionalism with Council.

"Joy Thorkelson is a champion for things that are not fair, she believes in fairness, she will argue, she will put the facts out there and the one thing I really appreciate about Joy is that even if she did not get her way, or doesn't get the resolution passed that she wanted, that it would be water under the bridge and there were no hard feelings" -- Mayor Lee Brain

Both Mayor Brain and Councillor Cunningham also made note that the community has not heard the last of Joy Thorkelson, with her duties with Unifor-UFAWU and now through work with the provincial government serving to keep her profile high not only in Prince Rupert but across the province.

You can review the entire string of tributes from the council members through the City's Video archive starting at the eighteen minute mark.




We made note of the Councillor's last day in office with this blog item of Monday, which looked at just a few of the past issues that she took on since her arrival on Council in 2005.

For more background on Monday's City Council session, see our Council Timeline Feature here.