Sarnia City Councillor Mike Kelch (BlackburnNews.com file photo by Melanie Irwin)Sarnia City Councillor Mike Kelch (BlackburnNews.com file photo by Melanie Irwin)
Sarnia

Veteran Sarnia Councillor Says Goodbye To Politics

There's going to be at least one new face on Sarnia City Council after this fall's municipal election.

Longtime councillor Mike Kelch announced Thursday morning that he's not seeking re-election.

Kelch has been a city councillor for 21 years and says he's been thinking about retiring for awhile now.

"There's never a good time to make a decision like this and there will always be reasons to stay and always reasons to leave," says Kelch. "I was only 44-years-old when I first ran for council and I've won every election since then. You know that old song the Gambler, it says know when to hold them and know when to fold them, I feel like folding them right now."

Kelch has sat on city council for six consecutive terms from 1997 to present day.

"I don't plan on going away as far as my interest in the city," says Kelch. "I will still be engaged, I'll still want to be on one or two city committees as a private citizen. Ya, I'm not going anywhere. I want to see the city advance I want some of the reforms that have taken place, I want to see those continue."

He says he has informed the other councillors and mayor of his decision not to seek another four-year term.

Municipal election day is October 22.

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