He's running again.
Malcolm Eaton, is seeking a third term as mayor of the City of Humboldt.
He made the announcement to the Humboldt Journal on August 27.
"We're right in the middle of a whole number of things," he said as to why he wants to serve another term, this one four years long, as mayor of Humboldt. "There's things to finish, and things to do."
He's been encouraged by a number of people, he added, "to stay on and keep going on the path we're on."
With the resignation of one councillor this past year - Marilyn Scott stepped down as she moved away - and at least two others not seeking re-election, there is going to be a significant turnover around the council table already.
Eaton decided that he would seek the mayoral seat again so that there's a chance that some faces around the council table will stay the same.
"I feel it's important in the mayor's office to create some continuity for the community," he said. "I look forward to the opportunity."
The council that is currently in place has remained stable over the past two terms, with just one, Leon Winkel, stepping down in 2009. His position was filled by the acclamation of Scott.
That council had to deal with some significant changes in the community, including a large amount of growth in a short period of time.
Maintaining at least some of this council in the 2012 election process is something Eaton sees as important, as "we are at a very important time with all the development and planning and activity that is going on," he said.
Now fully retired from teaching after 41 years, the last few in a part-time position, Eaton feels he has even more time to devote to being mayor for this next term.
"I have the ability now to devote the full-time efforts that are required sometimes," he said. "There are certainly times in the course of the work of council, the mayor and city, where it's become a full-time job."
But it's a job that retains some flexibility, he noted, so that he will still have time to visit his grandchildren - something that is definitely appealing.
"But certainly the mayor's job has required an increased amount of time," he noted.
In his terms in office, Eaton has "taken the position that we need to be involved in the growth in a fairly proactive way," he said, which includes being engaged with the growth throughout the entire region, in industry and business, and some planning and development work that is going on.
Eaton was appointed to the Saskatoon Regional Health Authority (SRHA) board earlier this year, and beyond personal reasons for seeking that appointment, Eaton felt it was very important, from a community standpoint, to have someone from Humboldt on that board.
"Health care is an important part of the infrastructure for the community," he said, and this was an opportunity to bring Humboldt and the surrounding rural area to the health region table.
It is a time commitment, working with the SRHA, he admitted, but it's reasonable.
"I can fit it in with my work as mayor," he said.
Eaton was elected by acclamation to his first term in office in 2006, taking over the mayor's chair from Dennis Korte. In 2009, he was elected to another term, over challenger Arlene Julé.
This time around, he's not sure if he'll be up against anyone or not.
"I'm not aware of anyone running against me," he said Monday.
Of course, that could change by the time nominations close on September 19.
Eaton encouraged anyone who is interested in running for mayor, or a seat on council, to check out the information package on the City of Humboldt's website, or at City Hall.
He also encouraged people to simply call him if they have questions about the roles.
"It's important for people to talk to the mayor and council, and understand some of the issues and workings of council," he said. "Pretty significant work goes on, and there's pretty significant decisions to be made. People need to be prepared for the time that's required."
Not to scare anyone away, Eaton noted, but according to a recent study, work on a municipal council requires an average of between six to eight hours per week - a number he feels is accurate.
"That varies in a year," Eaton said. "Less in the summertime, and more at budget time."
He encouraged those possibly interested in joining city council to seek information about the issues and challenges the city is facing, and what is on the horizon for the city in the next four years.
"No doubt, there certainly are challenges in front of us around growth," Eaton said.
But it's not just growth they need to address, he added.
"Our biggest challenges are working through and dealing with the renewal of existing infrastructure. Dealing with the old stuff is a major part of our work. We have a lot of water and sewer, roads and sidewalks - basic infrastructure work - to be done," he said.
