Reaction: Lunenburg Mayor Won't Re-Offer

Lunenburg Mayor Laurence Mawhinney

After nearly four decades in municipal politics - and 33 years as Mayor of Lunenburg - Laurence Mawhinney will not re-offer in this fall's elections. He says after talking with his family, he believes its time for someone else to step up to the plate. Mawhinney says he's comfortable with what he's achieved and he's leaving, feeling the town has a bright and vibrant future. The mayor of the District of Lunenburg says he was surprised to learn his counterpart and friend in Lunenburg will not run again. Don Downe says Mawhinney is one of the most outstanding leaders he's ever met and he's leaving with a great legacy.



Meanwhile, the mayor of the District of Queens, who is also retiring this fall after 12 years, says Laurence Mawhinney's departure is a surprise to him as well. John Leefe says Mawhinney has been a shining light in Lunenburg and he will have a lasting impact from one end of the country to the other.



Over the years, in addition to his mayoral duties, Mawhinney has also been the president of the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities and the federal equivalent. He feels his biggest accomplishment was the successful campaign to have Lunenburg designated a UNESCO world heritage site in the mid 1990's. Both Mayor Leefe and Mayor Downe strongly agree. Mayor Downe adds .. through all the year's, Mawhinney has never lost his sense of humour.



Mawhinney says he will continue as mayor until after the elections in October.