Pootmans rules out run for third term as Ward 6 councillor in October election

Two-term Ward 6 Coun. Richard Pootmans announced early Thursday he will not seek re-election in the upcoming civic vote.

In a statement, Pootmans said he’s proud of what he’s achieved over the last seven years, listing accomplishments that include seven years on the city’s audit committee and helping to establish the Battalion Park Remembrance Day ceremony into a significant community event.

“Building an even higher quality of community life for everyone was a priority for me when I ran for office,” Pootmans said.

“I am proud of the collaborative work of residents, community associations, council and administration in making Calgary even better.”

Most recently, Pootmans was named to the Calgary police commission to replace Ward 14 Coun. Diane Colley-Urquhart, who resigned.

Pootmans was first elected in 2010, filling the seat vacated by alderman Joe Connelly, who ran for mayor in a race Naheed Nenshi won.

During the last civic vote in 2013, Connelly, who represented Ward 6 from 2007 to 2010, challenged Pootmans, but ultimately lost.

Nenshi said Thursday he was “super sad” about the fact Pootmans would not seek re-election.

“Coun. Pootmans has been an extraordinary public servant, one of the absolute best,” Nenshi said. “He’s brought a keen mind and a very good heart to his work at city council.”

Before entering politics, Pootmans worked as a senior manager for real estate at Calgary Economic Development and had extensive community experience, including founding the Uptown 17th Business Revitalization Zone.

While more names are being added to the 2017 election candidate registry, which allows Calgarians to start fundraising for the civic election, to date only one person, entrepreneur Sanjeev Kad, has publicly declared intentions to run in Ward 6.

Pootmans’s announcement means there will be at a minimum four new faces on council after the Oct. 16 civic vote, including representatives in wards 3, 6, 10 and 11.

Councillors Jim Stevenson and Brian Pin cot th ave both announced they’re not seeking re-election, while Coun. Andre Chabot is running for mayor, meaning his council seat is up for grabs.

Building an even higher quality of community life for everyone was a priority for me when I ran for office.

COLLEEN DE NEVE Coun. Richard Pootmans won’t seek re-election in Ward 6 after serving seven years. Mayor Naheed Nenshi says he is saddened by Pootmans’ decision and describes him as an ‘extraordinary public servant.’