Welland Mayor Frank Campion says he is comfortable with his decision not to seek re-election this fall, despite admitting it took him a long time to make the call.
Campion has served as mayor since 2014 and was first elected to city council in 1991. He says he had originally set a personal limit of two or three terms, and ultimately decided that 12 years as mayor was enough.
Campion says there were moments when he considered running for a fourth term, but ultimately felt it was time for a change.
He says he plans to remain focused on the job through the end of his term, including several industrial and commercial development projects currently in the works.
Campion's 12 years as mayor have coincided with significant growth in Welland, particularly in the city's north end. He says much of that growth was driven by broader provincial housing policies and demand for more affordable housing in the Niagara Region.
But when asked what he's most proud of from his time in office, Campion points to the fight to keep Welland's hospital open.
When he ran for mayor in 2014, Campion says the hospital was slated for closure as part of a proposed two-hospital system in Niagara. He had already been advocating for the hospital as a city councillor and says becoming mayor gave him another avenue to push the issue.
Campion says meetings with the provincial government and then-Minister of Health Eric Hoskins ultimately helped secure Welland's place in a three-hospital system.
The city has since received a planning grant for the future Welland hospital, something Campion describes as a major accomplishment for both himself and the community.
With Campion stepping aside, the October municipal election will determine Welland's next mayor.
Campion says he does not plan to endorse a candidate, arguing that voters should make the decision for themselves.
As for what comes next, Campion says he does not have a firm plan, but he wants to remain involved in Welland in some capacity. He says he would be interested in serving on committees, advocating for the city, or potentially pursuing the Niagara Regional Chair position.
Campion says regional governance reform is an issue he's been involved with since he was first elected in 1991, and he sees an opportunity to help finally bring about change.
For now, though, he says his focus remains on finishing his final months as mayor and leaving the next council in the best possible position.
(Written by: Matt Latour)