Five-term city councillor Betty McIntosh is heading into the homestretch with her political career.
McIntosh, who was first elected to city council in 1996, won’t be seeking re-election in November’s municipal election.
“It’s not quitting. It’s retirement,” she told The Record. “I am retiring because it is best for my family.”
After working in Royal Columbian Hospital emergency department for 38 years McIntosh retired as a registered nurse in 2009, but she’s continued to serve on council. Her husband Ken retired in 2001 as an officer with the New Westminster Police Department.
“Ken and I still want to be able to do more travelling. We have a trailer that we bought last year. This lets us be able to go away for two months – I say two months, he says six,” she laughed. “I am a bit of a homebody. I’ve got my veggie garden out back.”
Instead of planning vacations around their best fit for council’s schedule, McIntosh will be able to travel whenever she wants. Not having to thoroughly read council reports will also open up some time in McIntosh’s schedule.
“It’s a responsibility you take on, and you should fulfill it,” she said. “It’s time. I am only in my 63rd year. I see health issues with council. I think others should retire due to health issues.”
One thing McIntosh says she won’t miss in council chambers is the “rude” comments she gets from some councillors. McIntosh, who was once a member of the Voice New Westminster slate, has clashed with the labour endorsed majority of council on various issues during her time on council. She’s repeatedly stated that her direct line of questioning on topics before council isn’t meant to be difficult but to get details about the subject at hand.
“I don’t believe in partisan politics at city hall,” she said. “That really bothers me.”
McIntosh said many community members have urged her to seek re-election – or to run for mayor – but she said she’s given her service to the city and now it’s time to retire. She’s looking forward to seeing a new generation of citizens stepping forward and running for council, including some she knows well.
“Betty McIntosh is retiring from council, but there will be a McIntosh on the ballot. It’s the next generation – my son Scott,” she said. “I have been mentoring at least two other people. You have meetings, you talk about strategy, you suggest what they can do to get name recognition.”
Although McIntosh feels that she is being verbally “attacked” on a weekly basis in council chambers, she doesn’t want that to dissuade people from running for council.
“I am hoping the younger people I have been mentoring will be able to step forward and there will be a little bit more of a balance,” she said. “We can’t assume these (incumbents) will be reelected. I think there are members of council who are at risk of not being reelected.”
McIntosh made her first foray into political life when she ran for school board in 1993. After being elected on election night, she lost her seat after a recount was held.
“The main reason I ran then was I had been actively involved in PACs and DPAC and had a youth focus,” she said. “My three kids were just getting out of high school.”
Four councillors chose to run for mayor in the 1996 election, including Lynda Fletcher-Gordon and Kathy Cherris. Both suggested McIntosh should run for council rather than school board.
McIntosh, who was among the 26 councillor candidates in 1996, won a seat. She was bumped off in the 2002 election, but reclaimed her seat in 2005.
“This is a team working together. I don’t look at it as I did this or I did that. We have done some really good projects in the city since ’96,” she said of her years on council. “It’s not an individual triumph. It’s ‘what can we do as a team?’”
While she won’t be on council, McIntosh plans to continue being involved in the community and supporting community events. She’s involved with numerous groups including Dunwood Place auxiliary, Trefoil Guild (for Guides), Royal Columbian Hospital nurses’ alumni, New Westminster Horticultural Society, Century House, Sapperton Pensioners’ Association, Knox Presbyterian Church, Fraserside Community Services Society and a volunteer at Irving House.
“You can enhance your life with whatever you do,” she said. “You don’t have to be a politician.”
