'I'm ready to retire': Chris Spearman looks back on eight years in office
It's been nearly eight years to the day since Chris Spearman was first elected as Lethbridge's 25th mayor.
But, all things must come to an end, and that was made clear when Spearman announced earlier this year that he would not be running for re-election in 2021.
After two terms, Spearman says he's excited for retirement and being able to spend more time with his family.
"I look forward to, kind of, getting my life back, spending more time with my friends and family, and looking after my health more," Spearman told CTV News.
"I'm at that point in my life where I think I'm ready to retire and I'm super happy about that decision."
Over the past eight years, Spearman and council made much needed upgrades to multiple city-run facilities like the Henderson Pool, Henderson Baseball Stadium and the Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens.
In addition, they attracted Lethbridge's largest private investment in the Cavendish Farms expansion in 2019 when they opened the $430 million frozen potato processing plant.
They were also able to complete the new ATB Centre in 2019, the largest municipal project in Lethbridge's history which cost around $155 million.
"I think we've accomplished a lot in the last eight years as a council during my time as mayor and I'd like to thank my council colleagues," said Spearman.
However, Spearman says he's most proud of the lengths they've went for reconciliation with Indigenous communities in the City of Lethbridge.
Spearman says he's most proud of the length's they've went for reconciliation with indigenous communities in the City of Lethbridge.
Between adopting 'Oki' as the city's official greeting and raising the Blackfoot flag permanently in front of city hall, it's a legacy Spearman is proud to leave behind.
"The progress we've made with our Indigenous neighbours and Indigenous residents, moving forward on truth and reconciliation, really has been game-changing and we're changing attitudes in the city," he said.
With the new mayor getting voted in on Monday's municipal election, Spearman had one final message for his successor.
"I wish the next mayor all the luck in the world," Spearman said.
"We all love this city, we all want what's best for this city and I know everybody who gets elected on Monday is going to do their best to make Lethbridge a better place to be."
For more information on the Oct.18 municipal election, visit the City of Lethbridge's website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.