The Municipal Election in Alberta is set for Oct. 18 and that means Airdronians will be headed to the polls to elect a slate of city councillors and the mayor.  

That's less than four months away and so far, none of the current members of Airdrie council have indicated if they'll be running for office again.  That includes Mayor Peter Brown who said he has good reason for not deciding if he'll be seeking another term.  

It's because he said, he's waiting for a clean bill of health before making any decision.

"I'm what's known as a COVID long-hauler so my only focus has been on my health, and obviously my job as I haven't given that up and I'm still working hard.  I want to make certain that I'm one hundred per cent healthy and once that comes into play I'm going to make a decision one way or the other.  I can tell you I love my job still, I believe I still have lots to offer and I still have value to the community.  But until I get the word that everything's okay, I'm going to hold off on my decision."

Brown said no matter what he decides, he'll make the decision well before the Sept. 20 deadline for nominations.  

Brown first contracted the virus in mid-November last year.  He said during an interview in January that two weeks into his illness he developed fluid in one of his lungs and his blood oxygen fell to low levels.  He was also quite dehydrated and, on the advice of his doctor, was transported to the hospital by ambulance where he was treated and given medication but didn't have to remain hospitalized. 

At that time Brown called the effects of the virus "long-lasting" but he didn't know then just how long they could last as seven months later some still linger. 

"I'm just looking forward to having a clean bill of health and just moving forward and trying to keep up with this amazing community we live in called Airdrie."

Discover Airdrie asked the mayor if he still felt he had things to accomplish to which he replied, "We always think that.  At the end of the day, we've always got lots going on and I think that this is probably going to be one of the more critical stages in our community's history as we grow and move forward.  We've got so many issues at the provincial and federal level as it relates to funding.  How this is all going to come together?  I still believe I have a lot to offer the Airdrie community and things I'd like to see happen."

"Again, it will all be predicated on, first and foremost, whether the community wants me to be their mayor, and secondly if I get everything under my belt as it relates to my health issues."

Brown said he has been feeling better lately with no real symptoms in the past two weeks. 

"Hoping that continues to progress so I'll be able to make a decision in the near future."

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