Image credit: City of Merritt

By Aaron Schulze

Claire Newman

Merritt councillor killed in Valemount-area car crash

Jul 5, 2023 | 11:57 AM

MERRITT, B.C. — A Merritt city councillor has passed away.

In a news release issued Wednesday (July 5), the City of Merritt announced the death of Claire Newman, who was struck and killed by a vehicle outside Valemount Tuesday while en route to see family.

“To lose a light like Claire Newman in such a tragic way has left a giant hole in my heart and the heart of everyone who came into contact with her,” Merritt Mayor Michael Goetz says. “Claire was the cheerleader of this council and a driving force that you rarely come across. Getting to know Claire over the past six months has been a great pleasure and I am a better person for having known her. To her family and friends, I offer my deepest sympathies. Claire, you will be missed.”

Newman was first elected to council in the 2022 municipal election. Before that, she spent 14 years as a councillor in Logan Lake.

The District of Logan Lake also issued a statement offering condolences to Newman’s family, and quoting the former councillor, “When you can’t find the sunshine, try being the sunshine.”

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The City of Merritt, the District of Logan Lake and the Thompson-Nicola Regional District will both lower flags to half-mast in mourning of Newman’s passing. The July 11 Merritt council meeting is cancelled.

Municipal offices in Merritt and Logan Lake will accept flowers for anyone wishing to honour Newman’s memory.

More information will released by the city when it becomes available.