Longtime city councillor mourned
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former city alderman, who played a lead role in the 1975 referendum amalgamating Prince George, is being remembered by family and colleagues this week. Art Stauble died on Dec. 1 at the age of 92.
In addition to his 13 years as alderman on city council, he had a long history of civic engagement, volunteering with the Nature Trust of B.C., Hospital Board, the Rotary Club of Prince George Nechako, Ducks Unlimited and many other organizations.
According to his family, the issue of amalgamation initially drove Stauble to run for public office. His son, Chris Stauble, noted that the family lived outside of the city limits of Prince George at the time, but still paid taxes for municipal services.
“We paid taxes for garbage, we paid taxes for water but we didn’t have those services here. He didn’t feel that was right that we get taxed yet the city didn’t supply any of the facilities. So he set up a bunch of things that made the taxation more fair for the people that weren’t provided with the facilities,” Chris Stauble said.
Art Stauble was first elected to city council in 1974 on a platform focused on amalgamation of Hart Highway, College Heights, Haldi Road, Blackburn, Western Acres, Vanway, North Nechako and South Fort George into the city. A referendum in 1975 succeeded in bringing that about.
Art is survived by his wife Yvonne, and sons Andre and Christopher. A mass will be held on Saturday at the Christ Our Savior Church at 4514 W. Austin Rd. at 11 a.m.
The family has asked that attendees bring a donation to a charity of their choice in lieu of flowers.