Four more years. That's what Malcolm Eaton got on September 19, when he was declared elected by acclamation to another term as mayor of Humboldt.This is Eaton's third term as mayor, but this is the first time municipal officials will serve four years in office. In the past, the terms were three-year stints."I'm honoured," Eaton told the Journal on September 21, about his election by acclamation. Over the last couple of months, he went through a bit of a "discernment process" with his wife, Eaton explained, about what another term would mean. "I got a lot of support from the community to keep going," he said, which formed part of his decision to seek re-election. "I appreciate that."The fact that he is no longer teaching part-time was another reason he chose to continue as mayor.At this point in Humboldt's history, he said, there are a lot of times where the mayor's position is a full time job, and he now has that time to devote. And last but not least, he said, with a large turnover of city council - only two of the six councillors are seeking re-election - he thought he'd better stay around. "It's always good to have new eyes, new ideas, new perspectives...."I'm looking forward to leading a new group of councillors into the world of the City of Humboldt council planning and decision-making," he added.Eaton called the slate of candidates who have put their names up for election to council - 11 in total - "excellent.""It's going to be a difficult choice for the community," he predicted. "I just can't do anything but thank and congratulate people for letting their names stand."Joining council is a big decision, and he admires these individuals for being willing to do so. Their interest, he stated, "shows their commitment to the city of Humboldt and what's going on."There is going to be a learning curve once a new council is elected, Eaton noted, because there will be such a large turnover. He plans to do what he can to help get them up to speed. Eaton is proud of what his previous council has done in the past term. "It's all about planning for growth, and... also about planning for renewal," he said. On the growth side, they have looked at issues such as available housing, and the capacity to deal with an increase in population when it comes to policing, education, health and other services, he noted. "We've been very much trying to work with all the different groups and agencies in terms of planning for that," he said. On the renewal side, it's been all about infrastructure, especially streets, roads and sidewalks, and the water and sewer systems. Asset management is something city council has gotten into in the past year or so, as well, he added. The City has also been working with the Business Improvement District (BID) that was recently formed in Humboldt's downtown, and has been talking with stakeholders, he said, in terms of recreation and cultural facilities and the vision of what those could look like in the future. A theatre, a multi-purpose facility and a second ice surface are all things that are being talked about with those groups, he indicated. "These are all parts of keeping this community as a place where people want to live," he stated. "We are constantly working on that vision.""We are trying to keep small town appeal with big city opportunities," Eaton stated. "We are trying to be a modern, forward-thinking, progressive community."Yes, there are still issues to deal with, he noted, but a lot of progress has been made, Eaton believes, pointing to a new superpipe project getting underway, and all the water, sewer and paving work that has just been done around the city.Eaton is very much looking forward to his new term, for many reasons. "Working with a new council will be exciting and challenging," he said. "And it's an exciting time to be in Humboldt and to be looking at the growth."Is he disappointed he won't get to run another election campaign?Yes and no. Eaton has only been contested for his office once - in 2009, he was challenged by Arlene Julé. That year, there was no election for council - all seats were filled by acclamation. "Elections are good," Eaton noted. They create "a good discussion in the community, about what the issues are, new ideas... Elections are good, but they're also not easy. If there had been an election (this time), I was prepared to embark on the process. As there is no election, I take it as a sign of support and encouragement that by and large, the community appreciates the job I've done and are confident I can continue to do a good job next term."He is looking forward to the election for council with great interest, he said, to see the issues, ideas and perspectives the candidates bring forward, and the conversations that will take place because of those ideas. "Once we do elect a council, a lot of discussion in the election is going to be part of our deliberations on shaping future plans and decisions," he concluded.
