Montreal West Mayor Campbell Stuart, who was first elected four years ago, says he will not be seeking a renewed mandate in the Nov. 1 municipal election. After Stuart made the announcement during town council’s monthly public meeting last Tuesday, Councillor Beny Masella said he would running for mayor.

“I myself have decided not to run,” said Stuart, maintaining he made a promise to his partners at the law firm where he works that he would devote more time to the practice. “I’m going to honour that promise. I’m going to go back to private practice and seek, as they say, new challenges. It’s been a hell of a ride. For me it’s now over and I wish my successors all the luck in the world.”

Masella, who joined the council two years ago when a byelection was held following the resignation of Councillor Dino Mazzone, said he decided to “try and step in and fill Campbell’s shoes. They’re very big shoes, but I’ve decided to run for mayor. I hope to bring more of the same to the town. I’ve always thought I brought a practical approach to council.

“I hope to continue to bring a practical approach if you decide to sit me in the mayor’s chair,” he continued. “I’d like to focus more on some of the lingering issues that we have here in town. That’s where I’d like to focus my energy a bit more, to see if we can’t polish this gem back to where it was a long time ago. I appreciate the work that the mayor has done. I wish he would have stuck around a lot longer, but he’s made a decision and I appreciate that.”

Councillor Joe McKenzie, who has been handling the public works portfolio over the last four years, said he would be running again. Councillor Colleen Feeney, who played a prominent role in Montreal West’s struggle to demerge from the megacity, said her work as director of finance at Marianopolis College coupled with council responsibilities “is a little too much on my plate at the moment,” and so she would not be running in this election. She did not rule out the possibility of tossing her hat in the ring once more four years from now.

Councillor Elizabeth Ulin confirmed her name will be on the ballot for a council seat on Nov. 1. “Hopefully there will be new challenges to meet,” said Ulin, who was responsible for recreation and cultural services. “I think it’ll be a very different four years. We now have a significant part of our town back, but not all of it. I think Beny’s comment about polishing the gem is really what the next four years is about, and I hope to be a part of that.”