Mayor Stephen Mandel will be announcing plans for his future on Tuesday and many political watchers in Edmonton said they expect he will not be running again.
The three-term politician released a statement Friday indicating he will hold a media conference at the Art Gallery of Alberta regarding his plans for the 2013 municipal election campaign.
“He was a one issue candidate for the last three years and that was the arena debate. That issue is gone, so should be the mayor,” Jim Lightbody said.
Lightbody also said he believed there was little interest in whether Mandel runs again.
“People choose to vote if there is something to vote for,” he said, adding there was s shelf life for city politicians.
“If you cannot do it in your first two terms then there is no reason to stick around.”
However, Ward 2 councillor, Kim Krushell, told CTV News she thought Mandel could still do some good work.
“He has been a really good mayor for Edmonton and he has moved the city forward.
“I’ve been pushing him to run another term. I think there are still some unfinished things he could lead.”
Yet, Krushell divulged that she would not be surprised if Mandel called it quits.
Many Edmontonians have mixed feelings on Mandel’s political future.
A CTV web poll shows 44 per cent in favour of Mandel seeking another term while 56 per cent think it’s time for someone new.
“I think he has brought some really exciting projects to the city and I think he’s got a really great vision for the future as well,” Adolfo Ruiz explained, adding he would support another term for Mandel.
However, Barry Sparks said he felt Mandel didn’t do enough for the city.
“Look at our roads – they are potholes,” he said adding it was time for a new mayor.
With files from Jeff Harrington
