Twelve consecutive years won’t be enough for Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan, who’s told the Burnaby NOW he fully intends to run again.
The next civic election is due November 2014, and Corrigan said he hopes to make it his fifth consecutive term as city mayor.
“I’m intending to come back to run for mayor,” he said in a phone interview. “I expect I’ll still be healthy and capable. I’m feeling good now and I’m ready, willing and able to take on another term.”
When former NDP-leader Adrian Dix stepped down, Corrigan’s name was touted by many political experts as a possible bidder in the leadership race, however, Corrigan says he has no intention to get into provincial politics.
“I don’t have the stomach for it,” he said. “I would have real trouble working under party discipline. I’m pretty independent and forthright in my opinions. Municipal politics is ideal for me.”
Corrigan said he’s enjoyed the experience as mayor and and wears his feelings on his sleeve when it comes to his city.
“I’m a mother bear protecting our interests,” he said. “I know I’m going to have real separation anxiety when I’m no longer part of the decisions being made.”
Recently, Corrigan was under fire for his and council’s decision to keep pit bulls muzzled in the city, despite 95 letter writers and all delegations that came forward supporting the opposite.
“I never like to make people unhappy in the city, but I found that in politics, that sometimes to make an omelet you’ve got to break a few eggs,” he added.
Corrigan said he hopes voters consider the redevelopment of the Edmonds area as one of his strong suits.
“I haven’t gotten to my best before date,” he noted.
