'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
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.