Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland confirmed he will run for re-election this fall.
Ireland filed his papers last week on July 29 after making an assessment on whether or not he could make the offer.
鈥淚 came to the conclusion after a lot of thought that I believe I still have something to offer,鈥� Ireland said.
鈥淎fter having come to that conclusion, I decided that I will file and just indicate that if the town is interested in accepting my offer, it鈥檚 there.鈥�
Ireland was first elected chair of the Jasper town committee in 1989.
Later, he was elected as mayor in 2001 when Jasper became a specialized municipality and is the only mayor Jasper has ever had over the past two decades.
While acknowledging that the COVID era has been trying for Jasper, Ireland noted that the pandemic didn鈥檛 influence his decision to run for office again, since the worst of the pandemic was likely behind the town.
鈥淚 still think I got energy and willingness, so I鈥檓 prepared to do it again,鈥� Ireland said.
鈥淚鈥檝e always had sort of a sense of commitment and duty to my community. I鈥檓 prepared to be part of the process and contribute what I can, and that hasn鈥檛 changed, regardless of the last 18 months or so.鈥�
If re-elected, Ireland will continue to focus on major issues such as housing and municipal autonomy.
Regardless of the issues, however, Ireland said he has always been interested in applying the democratic process to get resolutions that are generally acceptable within the community.
鈥淚 think that sometimes too much focus on outcome is to the determent of process, but I have been one who has been keen to follow a democratic process and use that to lead the community to results that it need and wants,鈥� Ireland said.
The next municipal election will be held on Oct. 18, where electors will vote for one mayor and six municipal councillors.
Potential candidates must file their papers by Sept. 20.
