The longtime mayor of St. Clair Township has decided not to seek re-election in the fall.
In an interview with Sarnia News Today, Steve Arnold said he was first elected to office in 1985.
"It's been a long time and I've seen a lot of things accomplished in my time on council and I know there's more to do, but for me it's time," said Arnold. "After 37 years it's time for some new faces to be on council and take things to the next level. We can only take it so far and then it's time to pass the baton."
Arnold said his family commitments continue to grow.
"I have grandchildren that I want to spend more time with of course, and my mom, and I have a little place up north that I go to. So, I'd like to spend some more time fishing."
Arnold said the role is very time consuming.
"When I did this job it was seven days a week, 24 hours a day essentially. You spend a lot of time reading to keep up on things and I just feel it's time to take a rest from that. The old guy's getting a little tired," he said.
Arnold highlighted a number of projects completed during his tenure, including the building of splash pads, arena upgrades, shoreline protection, water and sewer line upgrades, and the installation of high speed internet is underway.
"There's some new industry that we've been able to see come in. A number of generating plants, the new NOVA site, and the new Crown Royal distillery that's been announced. There's all those things that you're just so happy about, you see these things evolving and new opportunities for young people and the community, and that's all very positive."
The Wilkesport area farmer assumed the role temporarily following the sudden death of Joe Dedecker in 2006.
He was officially elected as mayor later that year and has chaired the township council since.
Arnold also served as Lambton County Warden and remembers having to hit the ground running.
"I was elected warden in December, 2010 and then we had snowmageddon. I think it was five days after I became warden. I had to declare a state of emergency in the county and the eastern and northern side of the county was impassable pretty well and the City of Sarnia wasn't too bad until you went about two miles to the east and then once you got down south of Port Lambton it wasn't so bad."
Arnold said he knew after the last election this would be his last term and he told the township council in February so they could plan for his departure.
"I love the community that I live in and the people in it and I've always tried to do the best I can. That will never change, it will always be that way for me."
Nominations for the October 24, 2022 municipal election are being accepted until August 19.