Stettler Mayor Dick Richards has revealed that he will not be seeking another term in this fall’s municipal elections.
Senior administration and Town of Stettler department heads were all on hand to hear the surprising and emotional announcement at the July 18 regular council meeting.
According to Richards it was a tough decision, but he has decided not to run for a fourth term for a variety of reasons.
“I have three teenaged kids at home. Another four years in the Mayor’s chair puts two of them graduating and one on the verge of graduating. I need to be at home…I need to spend more time with my kids.”
It was with mixed emotions that Richards went on to explain why he believed the time was right to step aside.
“The town is in a really good spot right now. We continue to grow, we have a new and vibrant relationship with our partners in the county, a great senior administration and a bunch of invested elected officials who continue to serve. We are in a really healthy time in Stettler.”
Richards served three terms on council prior to his three terms as mayor.
As part of his legacy, Mr. Richards hopes that the people know that during his tenure as mayor everything was completely open and transparent.
He strongly believes in public consultation and engagement and was always prudent about going ‘in camera’.
“Things need to be brought out to the public.”
According to Richards, there are very few things that ever need to be talked about behind closed doors and the less of those things the better.
Will he ever return to politics?
“What the future holds, I don’t know” says Richards. “I’ll never close the door to public service. I’m passionate about this community, passionate about this province and I love this country.”
Linda Stillinger,
ECA Review Reporter
