Fitzpatrick won’t run in next election
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/05/2010 (5793 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
There will be a new city councillor in the Linden Lanes ward.
After two, non-consecutive terms on city council, Ken Fitzpatrick confirmed yesterday that he is stepping away from municipal politics and won’t run for re-election in the fall.
He tells the Sun that through his time on council from 1999 to 2002 and then again from 2006 up to now, he has "scratched the itch" he had for civic leadership.
"I kind of made the decision about a year ago that I wasn’t going to run, but I thought I’d give it a chance and see if I wanted to continue," Fitzpatrick said. "But I think it’s time for me to step down and let someone else go. I’m going to try some different things … I’ve been asked to go on a couple of different boards, so I think I’ll do that."
Securing multi-partner funding for infrastructure upgrades for the Keystone Centre and the industrial wastewater treatment plant, settling on modest tax increases and finally putting the construction of the fire hall on 19th Street and Maple Avenue to bed are just a few of the council decisions Fitzpatrick is very proud to have been part of.
"This council hasn’t fought amongst itself and has actually done a lot of difficult things and helped move the city forward," he said. "I’m very happy with what we’ve done and very happy with the leadership that Dave (Burgess) has provided. I think it all comes from leadership, and him providing the leadership for us to move forward through some difficult times has brought us together and helped get some things done."
While no one has officially announced their intentions to run in his ward, Fitzpatrick says he’s "heard a couple of names" being bandied about, though he declined to identify anyone.
Brandon school division trustee Ramona Coey told the Sun last month she was considering switching her political focus and running in Linden Lanes — a neighbourhood she and her family will live in once the city’s new ward boundaries come into effect in the fall.
She says with Fitzpatrick now stepping aside, it creates a "wide open" race that is definitely more attractive for an interested party such as herself.
"I have a lot of respect for Ken," she said. "I’ve had the opportunities to sit on committee with Ken and he has served our community very well … but I think I’ll be waiting until at least the last (school) board meeting of the year to make my decision.
"My passion is my community, but education is a large part of that. I haven’t made my decision."
Individuals interested in running for council cannot officially register as a candidate until June 30.