Langley City Mayor Ted Schaffer has announced he won’t be running again for his position in the 2018 election.
Schaffer said he will finish out the last year of his four-year term, but wants to step down after that for health reasons.
“It’s not serious, but it made me realize I want to spend some time with my kids, my grandkids, and especially my wife Jean,” said Schaffer.
First elected to City council in 1990, Schaffer has spent about 25 years in local government.
He took one three-year break from council before returning. In 2013, he was named acting mayor after Peter Fassbender left to take up his position as MLA for Surrey-Fleetwood.
Schaffer then won the 2014 mayoral race.
The long days and work required are one of the reasons he wants to step back, Schaffer said.
He said the job demands 50 to 60 hour days, and being on call 24/7.
Over the last year, he took off one week, and another vacation of four days.
“It’s more than a retired person wants to do,” Schaffer said.
He’s announcing now so that there is plenty of warning before the next election.
“I just wanted to give the council a heads up,” Schaffer said.
He said he doesn’t know who else might be considering a run for the mayor’s seat.
In Langley Township, the mayoral race has already started, with Councillor Kim Richter announcing a run and incumbent Mayor Jack Froese saying he intends to seek another term.
The next election is scheduled for October, 2018.