BURNS LAKE, B.C. - The youngest mayor ever to be elected in British Columbia has resigned.
Luke Strimbold says in a statement that he has enjoyed the last five years as mayor of the Village of Burns Lake, but wants to further his schooling and spend more time with family.
Strimbold was just 21 in 2011 when he was elected mayor of the central B.C. community of about 2,000 residents, 200 kilometres west of Prince George.
He was re-elected in 2014 for a term that was due to expire in October, 2018.
A spokeswoman for the village says the process of arranging a by-election to replace Strimbold is underway and a vote could be held sometime in mid-December.
Strimbold's greatest test while in office came just weeks after his first election when he led his community's recovery from the January 2012 explosion and fire that tore through the Babine Forest Products sawmill, killing two men and injuring 19 others.
BC Business magazine named Strimbold one of its 30 under 30 leaders in 2014, recognizing his efforts to successfully rebuild the local economy.
While the mayor's chair remains empty, spokeswoman Sheryl Worthing says an acting mayor has been appointed from among the four councillors and business will continue as normal.
