STEWIACKE - After eight years as the Mayor of Stewiacke, Dereck Rhoddy has announced that he will not be reoffering for the position in October's municipal elections.
The primary reason, he said, while announcing his decision to Stewiacke council on Thursday night, is because his name has been officially submitted to run as the provincial candidate for the Progressive Conservatives in the next election for the Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley riding.
"It is with regret and heartfelt sadness that I inform council that I will not be putting forward my name for mayor or council in the upcoming municipal elections this October," he said during the announcement.
"Due to a number of reasons, but mainly since I wouldn't want to cause another election to be triggered when the provincial election is called."
Prior to being elected as mayor, Rhoddy, 39, served for three years as deputy mayor in Stewiacke and three years as councillor.
"This decision was not taken lightly, after much consideration with my family and many supporters throughout the riding, this is what has led me to run for provincial politics," he said. "So in considering this run it was my decision to change my work load and concentrate on turning our riding back to its traditional color of the provincial blue."
Rhoddy has also previously served on the Colchester Regional Library board as vice-chairman and on the steering committee for the Winding River Consolidated Elementary School.
He has also served as chairman of the regional Emergency Measures Organization, as board member on the Colchester Regional Development Agency since 2009; board member/ secretary of the South Colchester Minor Hockey Association; board member/chairman of the Stewiacke Police Advisory Board and also serves as treasurer and finance chairman of the Don Henderson Memorial Sportsplex.
"I will always cherish the memory of being the mayor of the day when Stewiacke celebrated its 100th birthday," Rhoddy said.
"It truly has been an honour to serve my community in this capacity and I feel great knowing I have made a difference every year I served."
