Petrolia Mayor Brad Loosley will not seek a third term this fall.
He made the announcement during the town council meeting on Monday night.
In an interview with Sarnia News Today on Tuesday, Loosley said he wanted to give council members and the public plenty of time to consider running for the position in the October 26 election.
"I've been 44 years in municipal government, I've been the mayor for the last eight years, and I just feel I'm at the point where I felt that somebody else should have a turn," Loosley said.
In early 2023, Loosley stepped away from his duties to address a medical issue, but returned to his role by the end of that year.
"I had a heart bypass, but I've been fine now. My health is great. I feel good. It's nothing to do with my health at this time. I am turning 77 and I just thought it was somebody else's turn or somebody should have the option to run," Loosley said.
He said he loves the town, and knows it will be an adjustment, but he's looking forward to some more free time.
"For the last number of years my wife has been waiting for me, because when you're mayor you're always available and you can never really get away for more than a week. So, I just feel I'd like to spend a little more time doing some other things with my wife, my family, my grandkids and be able to have the freedom to go when I want to go for one or two weeks and not have to worry about going online," said Loosley.
He has some advice for anyone considering the job.
"You've got to be committed. If you're going to run for mayor, you have to be able to give it the necessary time. Because I've had the freedom and being retired, I've had the time to put into that, but I do think for anyone running, they need to realize there's a lot of reading, and you need to put the time into it if you want to do it," Loosley said.
He said he's found the position incredibly rewarding and enjoyed that there's always something different to learn about in the municipality.
"I'm proud of many, many things over the last eight years. The celebrations of the 150, that was something I really cherished. Putting the line out into the lake this year will be a big one, which is that $16 million dollar project. We're going to have that new intake from Bright's Grove out into Lake Huron and they'll drop that pipe in, probably sometime in May or June of this year," Loosley said.
Mayor Loosley also highlighted upgrades completed at the Petrolia Water Treatment Plant and the significant watermain upgrades planned.
"A town with those main big items, is in good shape, and will be in good shape for 75 to 80 years," he said.
Loosley, the former town clerk, was first elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022.
