Red Deer County will have a new mayor this fall.
Mayor Earl Kinsella, who has served a total of seven terms on council over the past 21 years, announced during council’s regular meeting on Tuesday that he will not run again.
Kinsella, 73, said he made the announcement early in the year because he wanted to give potential candidates as much time as possible to organize their campaigns.
While Kinsella has served as reeve in the past, he was the county’s first mayor, elected during municipal elections in 2007.
Before the switch, councillors chose a reeve from among their ranks and the position was subject to review during the three-year term.
Kinsella said he has announced his retirement because he wants to try a few other things.
“It’s been a pretty good run of 21 years. I think it’s time for me to look at other fields of opportunity, even at my age.”
He told reporters outside the meeting that he is looking at variety of options, including joining provincial government committees, puttering around on the family farm and spending more time with his wife Daryl who recently retired from nursing.
“I think I’ve given a pretty good commitment to the community and it’s time for someone else to take it on,” he said.