Longtime Kirkland City Councilwoman Mary-Alyce Burleigh announced this week that she will not seek re-election to a third term.

“When people recruited me to run in 2001, I made the commitment to serve for two terms,” said Burleigh, whose second term ends Dec. 31. “I’ve reassessed that commitment and I think I’ve worked very hard and I need time to do other things.”

First elected to the Council in 2001, Burleigh served as mayor from 2005-2006. She considers her greatest achievements during her public service career on the Council as advocating for the 2003 Kirkland Parks Bond that voters approved $8 million in park land acquisition and improvements, supporting the creation of several advisory boards, including the Kirkland Senior Council and Kirkland Cultural Council; and adopting policy that created a robust environmental program.

Burleigh prides herself on her commitment to public safety for Kirkland and supported the funding of additional police and fire personnel for the City. Her compassion for human services came through her involvement in King County’s initiative to end homelessness. She often served as Kirkland’s voice on regional issues such as public safety, transportation and the environment.

She has also represented Kirkland on several regional committees, including vice-chair of Cascade Water Alliance Board of Directors, Sound Transit Board, Sound Transit Finance Committee and Suburban Cities Association Caucus Chair on the Puget Sound Regional Council Executive Board.

Burleigh is also the Association of Washington Cities representative on the Shorelines Hearings Board and an AWC Legislative Committee Representative.

“Since the day I was elected, I have truly enjoyed serving the citizens of Kirkland and the Eastside,” said Burleigh, a retired history/government teacher. “The experiences have been rich and fulfilling and I will always remember this special time in my life.”

As she completes her term, Burleigh says she’s pleased that design for the Kirkland Transit Center is complete and construction will begin later this year and that the process to annex Finn Hill, North Juanita and Kingsgate neighborhoods is moving forward. On a regional perspective, she looks forward to light rail extending to East King County and having the Cascade Water Alliance become a significant water service provider to the region.

Prior to being elected to Council, Burleigh helped to organize the Kirkland Alliance of Neighborhoods, served as the first president of the North Rose Hill Neighborhood Association and was a member of the City’s Planning Commission from 1995-2001.

Burleigh said she looks forward to greater involvement as a member of the Advisory Board of Eastside Habitat for Humanity, serving as president of the Church Council of Holy Spirit Lutheran Church and spending more time with family and friends.