Fountain Hills Mayor Wally Nichols will not seek a fourth term, he announced Thursday.
“I’ve accomplished what I’ve wanted to accomplish,” Nichols said as he made his announcement at the close of a Town Council meeting. “I feel it’s time for new blood to come over with some new ideas. And, there’s a lot of family obligations I have to take care of.”
Nichols was first elected in May 2003 to serve a partial term, and voters returned him to his seat for two-year terms in 2004 and 2006.
The 67-year-old Nichols said his legacy would be of spearheading the drive to annex 1,300 acres of state trust land and changing the scope of time when setting goals.
“Long-term planning, strategic planning, financial planning — to get the concept in people’s minds, that’s important to do for a town’s survival,” Nichols said.
When Nichols was asked if he anticipated taking an active role as a citizen in town politics, he replied he didn’t know.
“Maybe I’ll just sit around and write letters to the editor,” Nichols mused.
Four seats on the seven-member council will be determined at the polls next spring. Up for re-election are Vice Mayor Keith McMahan and Councilmen Ed Kehe and Jay Schlum.
The first deadline for candidates to file the necessary paperwork for running is Nov. 12.
