HALIFAX – Halifax’s troubled mayor will not seek re-election.
Peter Kelly released a statement Wednesday afternoon saying he feels after 27 years of service it’s time for him to “seek new horizons.”
Kelly affirmed he would complete his term.
“It has been a great privilige to be mayor of HRM (Halifax Regional Municipality) and I will carry with me forever the spirit of goodwill that citizens have always shown me,” he says.
The 55-year-old, who first took office of the amalgamated municipality in 2000, says the strain of the job led to the end of his marriage and put stress on his family.
He says he hopes the public will respect his decision to put his family first, but acknowledges it won’t be easy to leave the post.
“I have always had the best interests of the community at heart and have been committed to making HRM the best place in Canada to live, work, learn and play,” he says.
Kelly referenced the “stumbles along the way,” a string of scandals including, most recently, his duties as executor of the will of his late friend, Mary Thibeault.
Last week, The Coast – a weekly Halifax publication – published a story outlining how Kelly had not fulfilled her wishes to divide her estate to beneficiaries, including organizations such as the Canadian National Institute for the Blind and the Salvation Army.
The article also pointed out Kelly had written cheques from her estate to himself and his son.
“I am not making any excuses,” he says. “Whatever problems have arisen have been because of my own tardiness.”
He goes on to say he is in the process of fulfilling her last wishes.
Four candidates remain in the race for mayor of HRM: former Dartmouth-Cole Harbour MP Mike Savage, former police detective Tom Martin, businessman Fred Connors and Dalhousie University student Matt Worona.
In a recent survey, Savage had 53 per cent support of decided voters polled, while Kelly only garnered 25 per cent.
See the four candidates’ reaction here
Statement From Halifax Mayor Peter Kelly
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