Some big players on the local scene decided to hang up their hats in 2012. Surrey's top cop, Assistant Commissioner Fraser MacRae, hung up his Stetson in June after leading Canada's largest RCMP detachment for eight years. MacRae retired with more than 35 years as a Mountie under his belt.

The avid guitar player planned on getting down to some serious jamming with his band, Drink the Fat. As the song says, "If you listen to the wind, you can still hear him play."

Three local politicians also called it quits this year: Liberal MLAs Kevin Falcon and Dave Hayer, and NDP MLA Guy Gentner.

Long-time Surrey-Tynehead MLA Dave Hayer announced in July that he won't seek re-election in May 2013 after serving 11 years in office.

In August, it was Falcon's turn.

The Surrey-Cloverdale MLA announced he won't run in the next provincial election in May 2013, putting the sunset to 12 years in public life that saw him hold major cabinet posts like transportation and finance, and run for party leader.

Delta-North MLA Guy Gentner followed suit in October with his announcement that he won't seek re-election, either.

"I'm kinda of the opinion I'm done," Gentner told the Now at the time. "I do look forward to drinking pilsner in Prague. Start my adventures there."

Gentner served North Delta as its MLA since 2005 and was a Delta municipal councillor for six years prior to that.