After many years of service to the community, the mayor of Sundre told the Round Up he does not plan to seek re-election.
"It is not my intention at this time to seek another term as mayor," Terry Leslie said before the holidays.
Having served an accumulative total of 15 years on council ó three terms as mayor and two terms as a councillor ó Leslie said he's been fortunate to see a tremendous number of changes along the way, but decided it's time to pass on the reins.
The approaching fall elections for Alberta's municipalities will herald some differences from the past, chief among those changes being four-year terms for elected officials rather than three. The revised and updated Municipal Government Act will also be introduced before voters cast their ballots, he said.
"It will call for a lot more collaboration between municipalities," he said about the provincial government's document, which acts as rulebook for municipalities in Alberta.
"We need to work better together."
The important task of laying the groundwork for future generations in the community is an exciting endeavour ó one that should not be taken lightly. However, there tends to be a lot of apathy when it comes to municipal elections, he said.
"There is a real serious need for people to consider running for council."
Exciting opportunities abound, but the community cannot allow indifference to prevail with barely 30-40 per cent of the population actually getting engaged in the municipality's electoral process, he said.
"We need to have a lot of folks talk about what they want to see for the future ó to commit to working four years together and building for future generations."
The mayor encourages anyone who is passionate about assuming a leadership role in the community and playing a part in planning for Sundre's future to consider running for council sooner rather than later.
The mayor told the Round Up he announced his decision not to seek another term well in advance so people could consider the opportunity to run, and that he would gladly share his perspective with anyone who might have questions about the process and what the position entails.
"We have amazing opportunity if we step up and take advantage of the future that is there waiting for us."
