With less than two full days left in the nomination process, Councillor Terry Coleman has announced that he will not seek re-election next month.

Coleman has served three years on council and before that he served as our Chief of Police.  Despite support from family and friends, along with some encouragement to run for mayor, Coleman has decided that he will not enter the Civic Election race this year.

Here's the letter that was sent out Monday night by Councillor Coleman.

I have sincerely appreciated and valued the significant community support for my work as councillor over the past three years.  In particular, I have appreciated the recent support and urging from many, including many who I do not really know, to run for Mayor in the upcoming election.  Indeed, I have seriously considered running.  I have also appreciated the substantial support and encouragement based on my record to run again for Council.

Notwithstanding the substantial encouragement and support, I have decided not to run for Mayor or Councillor.  It has been a difficult decision; but for personal reasons based on the potential for other opportunities and ventures, it is time to move on.  

During the term of the 2009-2012 Council, I am pleased to have been an integral part of taking a strategic approach to Moose Jaw’s future by planning for progress.  Decisions I have made and been part of were not based on a personal narrow agenda but were positioned to ensure that Moose Jaw is progressive; to be that which we expect and desire of Moose Jaw – a great place to live, work and to play not only for today but also tomorrow.

In that regard, I am pleased that the majority of our 2009-2012 Council worked diligently and successfully to achieve that.  After all, to say consistently no or to do nothing repeatedly on critical issues is to regress rather than to progress.  We have all witnessed that in Moose Jaw.  We must all remember that there is no such thing as being able to stand still in a dynamic environment.

Thank you Moose Jaw for your support and encouragement to make Moose Jaw a better place.