By Erin Stewart [1]
BELLEVILLE – Peter Mertens [2], the mayor of Prince Edward County [3], has decided not to run for re-election in October’s municipal elections.Mertens served as a councillor for four years before being elected mayor in 2010.
It was a difficult decision to not run for a second term, he said. But he is pleased with the foundation that has been set for economic and financial stability in the county, he added.
“Most of the things that I wanted to get accomplished have been accomplished. So I figured this would be a good time to depart and look at some other things and let someone else take the reins and bring their ideas forward.”
Another four-year term as mayor is something that Mertens says he isn’t able to commit to.
“As much as I have loved this job for years, it is a job that is very time-consuming. And it is a 24-7 job where you are always being observed and (are) always on call. So having some flexibility to go away for a month in the winter or in the summer is something that is looking far more attractive to me now.”
The only plan Merten has after his job as mayor is complete is to do “absolutely nothing,” he said.
As of March 6, no one has entered the race for mayor in Prince Edward County.
Related:
Merterns not running in 2014 [4]
Mayor says PEC will get storm cleanup $$$ [5]
Mayor will not seek re-election [6]