After ten years as Mayor, Malcolm Eaton is not seeking a fourth term in October.

Malcolm Eaton has served as the Mayor of Humboldt for the last ten years, and come this October, he will officially put a wrap to his time in office.

Eaton issued a press release on Thursday afternoon, announcing that he would not be seeking a fourth term as Mayor, electing to retire instead.

"It was time to maybe consider moving on. A bit more family time, maybe some other possibilities, or other opportunities will come my way," Eaton explained. "I've been around the table for 13 years and certainly enjoyed it."

Three of those 13 years were as a councillor, which is how he initially got started in municipal government.

Having lived in Humboldt and raising his family, Eaton was continuously active in the community with coaching sports and assisting non-profit organizations, which is eventually how is interest peaked in going for more.

"The election opportunity first came up for council and I thought this was a way to make a difference in a larger way, and to be involved in a larger way in how the community grows and develops," said Eaton.

"That's really what got my interest, I just wanted to see Humboldt continue to grow and develop and be a great place to raise a family."

Growth is one of the biggest things Eaton is pleased to have witnessed over the last ten years as Mayor.

"We've really positioned ourselves well and I'm very proud of this. I think it's very important, because this community is going to grow in five, ten, fifteen years."

Many new buildings and amenities have popped up during Eaton's tenure, including key pieces for health care, education, and recreation.

"With the support of the provincial government, we've been very fortunate to have a new health care facility," he noted. "The new schools, the public school project, the high school project. Those are really important pieces to the educational infrastructure of the community and I think we're very fortunate and we can all be proud of that."

Eaton continued that in order to continue to see growth, strong bonds must be built and maintained with other levels of government.

"We've got to have a presence in Regina, we've got to have good relationships with our provincial government and different government departments we work with. We also certainly need to have a presence with the federal government, our federal members of parliament, as well as the federal departments we work with. I just believe that's really important."

When asked if it is possible to be both the Mayor and have full-time hours at another job, Eaton says that while he didn't have another job, it is still possible with proper management.

"There are times when this is a full-time job, but it's not a full-time job all the time," he explained. "That's one of the challenges that people who are considering running for Mayor will face. I don't want to suggest that anyone who is working full-time can't be the Mayor of Humboldt."

"It just becomes a balancing act between work and family, and of course the job of the Mayor."

Lastly, Eaton says that while there is some sorrow to vacating the Mayoral chair, he is at peace with the decision.

"It's been nice to hear from people and nice to talk about this," he said. "I have a lot of relationships both here in the city on staff and council, but also with the other SUMA members. There is a bit of sadness to leaving that, but I'm comfortable with the decision and looking forward to what the future brings."

Civic elections will be held across the province on October 26th.


You can hear a lot more on Eaton's decision to retire, below.