Mayor Al McDonald will not be seeking re-election in 2022.
He confirms what he said after the last vote that he won’t be running again.
“I did say on election night on October 22, 2018, this will be my last term to convey to the community that I’m going to do everything I can to grow the city and make a positive difference. But to also open the door for others who might be interested in running for mayor and give them lots of time to get prepared,” McDonald says.
He says there are plenty of highlights like record building numbers and getting through the pandemic, but serving the community is at the top.
“What I hold in high regard is the honour of serving our citizens and our citizens having their trust in me to be their mayor for the past 11 years,” McDonald says.
He was first elected Mayor in 2010 and says there have been challenges.
“When you run a municipality there’s a lot going on and there’s always something that isn’t quite right, you’re always trying to put fires out here and there and your time is being pulled in so many different directions,” McDonald says. “But, the experience has been very positive, social media can be difficult at times, but the public has been tremendous. Everywhere I go they’re very friendly and very accepting.”
As for what’s next, he says he’s always been an entrepreneur.
“I’ll probably go back and become another entrepreneur and continue to volunteer in my community. It’ll probably be more on the business side, I really love business and I want to get back into business of some kind. That hasn’t been determined yet, I’ll look at all the opportunities out there,” McDonald says.
The next municipal election is October 24, 2022.
