Sharon L. Gaetz is the first woman elected

mayor In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilities of a mayor as well a ...

of Chilliwack,

British Columbia British Columbia (commonly abbreviated as BC) is the westernmost province of Canada, situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. It has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that include rocky coastlines, sandy beaches, ...

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...

. She had previously served as acting mayor prior to being elected. Mayor Gaetz also served as director for the

Fraser Valley Regional District The Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) is a regional district in British Columbia, Canada. Its headquarters are in the city of Chilliwack. The FVRD covers an area of 13,361.74 km² (5,159 sq mi). It was created in 1995 by ...

. She was elected mayor during the

2008 British Columbia municipal elections Municipal elections were held in the Canadian province of British Columbia on November 15, 2008. The following is a list of mayoral races in selected municipalities. Abbotsford Burnaby Campbell River Castlegar Central Saanich Chil ...

. In 2018, she lost to incumbent city councilor Ken Popove whilst seeking a fourth term. In 2007, then-Councillor Gaetz presented information about cannabis cultivation to Chilliwack's social issues advisory committee. Also that year, she supported the densification of the city through the construction of an

apartment An apartment (American English), or flat (British English, Indian English, South African English), is a self-contained housing unit (a type of residential real estate) that occupies part of a building, generally on a single story. There are ma ...

building containing 71 units. Before entering politics, Mayor Gaetz was a

pastor A pastor (abbreviated as "Pr" or "Ptr" , or "Ps" ) is the leader of a Christian congregation who also gives advice and counsel to people from the community or congregation. In Lutheranism, Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy and ...

at the Southside Church in Chilliwack.

Family

Gaetz and her husband, Jim, have a son, and two grandchildren.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gaetz, Sharon Living people Women municipal councillors in Canada Women mayors of places in British Columbia Women Christian clergy Canadian Christian clergy Mayors of Chilliwack Year of birth missing (living people)