Fort McPherson (Mar 10/03) - Rebecca Blake has resigned as mayor of Fort McPherson and former deputy mayor Gordie Clark has jumped in to fill her shoes.

Blake stepped down at a special council meeting last month. At the same meeting, Clark filled the seat after no one else on council let their name stand for election.

Coun. Richard Wilson was nominated by Coun. Wayne Greenland, but immediately declined to stand for the office.

Blake said she decided it was time to make a departure from hamlet politics in order to spend more time with her family, especially her two sons who are heavily involved with minor hockey.

Her term of office was scheduled to end next Jan. 1.

Blake had served on council since 1996, including one term as councillor and two terms as deputy mayor. She was voted in as mayor in the 2001 election.

Hamlet administrator John Smith said Blake was "instrumental in the hamlet's success to date" and council plans to present her with a gift to show appreciation for her service.

Clark said he is thrilled to take on the challenge. He was first elected as a councillor in December 2001.

"It's kind of a different feeling I guess. I didn't expect to just go into council for the first time and the next thing you know, you're the mayor," he said.

He wants to carry on with all projects Blake was involved with.

"I want to keep everything going the way that Rebecca had planned it because she did a great job," he said.