New Sign Unveiled to Honour Former Mayor

By Michelle Cyr-Whiting

Family members of former Mayor Carrie Jane Gray gather with Councillor Garth Frizzell and Mayor Dan Rogers at new sign unveiling

Prince George, B.C. -  Carrie Jane Gray was the first and only female mayor of Prince George and served as a city alderman for many years...

And, today, her daughters, grand-daughters, and three of her 10 great-grandchildren gathered in the park that carries her name at the corner of Carney Street and Massey Drive for the official unveiling of a new sign commemorating Gray's years of leadership and service in the community.

Mayor Dan Rogers says Carrie Jane Gray was a tenacious person who was very passionate about Prince George. 

He says the former sign was not a strong way to recognize a truly exceptional leader, who inspired many in our community.

"It (the new sign) really improves the aesthetics, but also recognizes that history, that heritage and pays tribute -- appropriately, I believe -- to what Carrie Jane Gray meant to this community," says Rogers.

"And, at a place, where you won't find such active participation as you do in Carrie Jane Gray Park:  it's a place where families can come together, where kids come to play, where international events transpire, so it's a wonderful place to commemorate her legacy."

 Gray's daughter, Arlene Langevin says when the park was first named for her mother back in 1966, she and her sister, Nadine, were appalled because it was a slough at that time. 

But Langevin says her mother wasn't, she said one day it would be a great park, and now Langevin agrees.

Bob Martin, who served on city council with Gray, says she "had a great voice".  Martin says Gray said what she meant, if she didn't like something, she'd say so.

Photo below shows from left to right, daughter Nadine Gray, great-grandson Chase Martin, granddaughter Melanie Martin, great-granddaughter Kennedy Martin, granddaughter Amanda Langevin, great-granddaughter Rhyann Martin, granddaughter Carmen Martin, and daughter Arlene Langevin

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