Laurie Gehrke has resigned from her position as general manager of the Ucluelet Co-op and is leaving the community due to an onslaught of social media vitriol thrown her way during the lead up to a contentious amalgamation vote.
The July 9 vote on whether to partner with Mid-Island Co-op was won by the ‘no’ side with a total of 141-40.
Gehrke had been vocal about her support for amalgamation and posted videos online answering questions and concerns raised by Co-op members.
Gehrke told the Westerly News her decision to leave the community “has nothing to do” with the vote’s outcome, but rather the hurtful comments she endured during the leadup to voting day.
“It was five weeks of it. That’s enough. I don’t want to live in a community that that happens in. I just don’t want to,” she said, adding she planned to list her house for sale in short order. “I was planning on retiring in a couple years and staying in the community for a while and figuring out what I wanted to do next. This has just made my decision sooner and I’m not staying. I can’t stay in a community that my heart doesn’t belong in anymore.”
She said she will be staying with the Co-op until September to help with a smooth transition to her replacement and is not sure about her immediate plans after that, though she knows she will miss her friends, the ocean and Ucluelet’s beaches when she leaves.
This is Gehrke’s 10th year as the Co-op’s general manager. She arrived in the community from Whitewood, Sask., where she had been a Co-op branch manager.
Her tenure in Ucluelet included navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, consistent road closures brought on by the Hwy. 4 construction and last year’s highway shutdown caused by wildfires near Cameron Bluffs.
“No one went hungry. We never closed. We had food here all through the fires and the highway shutdowns and the construction. I’m really proud of all those things,” she said.
Gehrke launched a Frugal Finds program this year, offering slightly bruised fruits, day-old bread and veggies just past their prime at a discount to help residents tackle rising inflation.
She oversaw the creation of a much-needed infant and toddler daycare centre in a Co-op owned building adjacent to the store that opened earlier this year. She also oversaw a massive $4-million renovation during the pandemic, which included the addition of a pharmacy as well as new Nuu-chah-nulth language signage.
In 2023, Gehrke accepted Ucluelet’s Business of the Year award on behalf of the Co-op and she has been a frequent face on the volunteer circuit, including serving as president of the Pacific Rim Rotary Club and MC’ing the Pacific Rim Whale Festival’s Chowder Chowdown.
She is one of five nominees for Ucluelet’s 2024 Citizen of the Year Award, which is set to be announced during the town’s Ukee Days celebrations.
The Co-op’s board of directors announced Gehrke’s resignation on Friday, July 19, and the same social media community page that had been filled with vitriol leading up to July 9’s vote was filled with more than 100 comments expressing both love for Gehrke’s community contributions and remorse over her departure.
“I’m speechless with the reaction. Certainly I’m appreciative of all the comments and I’m flattered by what people are saying…It warms my heart to know that people feel that way. It’s heartwarming,” Gehrke said. “Thank you Ucluelet for an incredible 10 years. I’m just sad it had to end this way.”
Among the more than 100 comments was Timmy Masso, who had worked with Gehrke on adding Nuu-chah-nulth language signage inside the Co-op.
“This is such sad news to hear, Laurie is such an amazing person,” Masso wrote. “I always appreciate her dedication and support to have more awareness for my language. This is such a huge loss to the Co-op. I will miss you Laurie, hope you have a wonderful journey wherever it may take you.”
Sandy Rantz commented that Gehrke brought the Co-op “to another level,” adding that she will be hard to replace. “I don’t think they will find someone quite this exceptional,” Rantz wrote. “Her generosity, compassion, love for our community, charitable work with so many local organizations always went over and above what anyone could expect. I remember when the pandemic began and she met the challenges head on with professionalism and kindness. I am very sad about this.”
Food Bank on the Edge executive director Cris Martin wrote that Gehrke had been a dynamic supporter of the local food bank.
“This is a huge loss for our community. Laurie Gehrke and the Co-op have become stellar champions for the Food Bank on the Edge,” Martin wrote. “I only hope that going forward the Co-op can find someone with the same dedication and generosity, someone who really understands the depths of food insecurity. We wish Laurie Gehrke a peaceful transition and a soft landing. She is the BEST!”
