It’s a farewell party for the ages and it’s all in the name of a woman affectionately known as “Lady of the Lakes.”
“Nobody’s going to fill Gloria’s shoes, she’s done so much for the city of Dartmouth and she’s done it with devotion and passion,” Ed Fern, a Dartmouth resident, said.
Gloria McCluskey is wrapping up over two decades serving in municipal politics, a career she’s emotional about leaving.
“I’m sad it’s ending. I don’t want to go but I’ve had a great run, 23 years,” McCluskey said at a farewell celebration hosted for her at Alderney Landing.
McCluskey first got involved in politics when Dartmouth was its own municipality.
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She served as Dartmouth’s last mayor before it was amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996.
“I wasn’t happy with amalgamation so I left for eight and a half years. Then in 2004, I thought I should go back and represent Dartmouth again.”
She’s served as the Councillor of District 5, Dartmouth Centre, ever since, leaving lasting impressions on residents of all backgrounds.
“She’s been one of the kindest people that I’ve met since I’ve been in Dartmouth and she’s genuinely concerned about the people that live here in her community,” Deborah Snow, a Dartmouth resident, said.
McCluskey’s also known as the “Queen of Dartmouth” and once had the chance to meet Queen Elizabeth, but she says it’s the people in her community who have given her a career full of joy.
“I love helping people and I’ve loved every minute of every day,” McCluskey said.