Long-time Ladysmith mayor Aaron Stone's final day in office will be Sept. 30, as he announced he's stepping down to become the CEO of an Island economic development group. (Town of Ladysmith)

By Ian Holmes

stepping down

‘Ladysmith will always be my home:’ mayor to step aside, lands new job in Victoria

Sep 4, 2024 | 3:05 PM

LADYSMITH — The longtime mayor of Ladysmith is stepping down to take on a new role as CEO of a Victoria-based economic development organization.

Aaron Stone will also step down as the chair of the Cowichan Valley Regional District, as of Sept. 30.

He’ll assume his new role on Oct. 7 heading the South Island Prosperity Partnership, the economic development alliance serving the greater Victoria region.

“These kinds of opportunities don’t come along very often. The hardest part of it was to step away from my role as mayor of Ladysmith and chair of the regional district (Cowichan Valley Regional District) and all of those other roles that I play,” Stone told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Stone said his background in economic development and innovation was the perfect fit for the next chapter in his professional career.

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Coun. Tricia McKay will serve as Ladysmith’s acting mayor effective Oct. 1, while a byelection to determine Stone’s successor is planned for sometime next spring.

Stone has been Ladysmith’s mayor for the past decade.

Conceding that triggering a byelection is not ideal, Stone said he’s proud of his record and looks forward to a new challenge.

“Ladysmith will always be my home. I was raised there. I said in my statement yesterday that the community raised me and by extension, Cowichan’s been my extended family for most of my life.”

Stone intends to move to the south Island shortly.

“I’m planning to move down to Victoria after the end of this transition period and really set my feet and put some roots down in the community as I have throughout my career wherever I’ve been.”

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ian.holmes@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes