Bashaw Mayor Bob Cammidge has decided to step down.
The town’s mayor since 2006 announced his decision to step down at the end of the month at a recent council meeting.
“I’ve been on council for 12 years, and it was time,” said Cammidge, 72, on Monday.
“There are other things in my life I want to do while I can.”
Cammidge said he doesn’t have any definite plans, but “if the opportunity comes I want to be able to do it.
Cammidge, who is widowed, has seven children around the country and 15 grandchildren.
“I can go around and see the kids and don’t have to worry about schedules and meetings and stuff like that, and that’s what I want to do.”
He said the town is in good hands, with experienced and dedicated people devoted to the community.
First elected as a councillor, Cammidge became mayor when former mayor Darcy Bachman had to step down partway through his term because he moved to a new community. Cammidge was re-elected in 2007 and 2010.
Council opted to vote on a new mayor rather than go through the expense of a byelection. Until the next election in October 2013, council will run with a mayor and three councillors.