THUNDER BAY -- Keith Hobbs is taking a pass on continuing his municipal political career after eight years in the mayor's chair.
The Thunder Bay mayor on Monday night announced that he will not be seeking public office during this fall's municipal election.
"I think it's time. I'm not getting any younger. I think it's time for me to sit back and smell the roses, spend some time with my wife, Marisa, and our three children and just enjoy life," Hobbs said.
The retired city police officer has held the job since 2010, when he ousted incumbent Lynn Peterson. He was elected to a second term in 2014, withstanding a challenge from former mayor Ken Boshcoff.
Hobbs last year had announced he would not seek a third term, but earlier this year opened the door that he might put his name back on the ballot in either the mayoral or at-large races.
"I wanted to make sure I was firm in my commitment," Hobbs said of making the decision to spend this election on the sidelines. "I want to make sure all the i's are dotted and t's are crossed and I'm comfortable with the decision."
Listing accomplishments of his two terms, Hobbs pointed to the development of the $4.2 million Safe Homes Program in response to the 2012 flood and efforts to build relationships with Indigenous communities, including Fort William First Nation.
Hobbs said the city's credit rating increasing from A to AA, which was affirmed for the second straight year last month, should send a message to those critical of the city's finances.
"You don't get a rating like that if you mismanage money. You only get a rating like that if you have good fiscal management," Hobbs said.
Hobbs and his wife Marisa are each facing criminal charges of extortion and obstructing justice. Their case remains before the courts with an Ontario Superior Court of Justice judge expected to decide in late August whether the couple will be committed to stand trial.
