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Bowden mayor won't seek re-election, plans move

Robb Stuart confirmed plans to move after this fall's election but wouldn't confirm rumours he'll live in Innisfail
MVT Robb Stuart 1 2
Bowden's mayor, Robb Stuart. File photo/MVP Staff

BOWDEN — Longtime Bowden mayor Robb Stuart says he won’t run again in this year’s municipal election and he’s looking at moving out of town after that election.

Stuart confirmed those decisions during an interview with the Albertan. The next municipal election is scheduled for October 2025.

“Things are going -- like, I'm getting old,” said Stuart, 70.

He also confirmed general plans to put his house up for sale and move out of town, but wouldn’t confirm rumours on social media that he plans to move to Innisfail.

As to when that move might happen, Stuart was vague, but noted that under the Municipal Government Act he cannot serve as mayor while living in another community.

This year’s municipal election will be held in late October.

Stuart, who was raised in Bowden, has served 14 years as mayor. He was first elected to the post in 2010. Before that, he served as a town councillor for six years.

Stuart was asked flat out if he plans to move to Innisfail.

“I don't know yet,” he said. “The thing is, if you don't live in town, you have to resign, right?

“So at the moment, I have no intention of resigning. I'll keep my house here in Bowden until such a time as it's in my best interest to not keep it.

“You'll probably hear about it as soon as I list it. But my intention is to – yeah, not live in Bowden.”

Stuart grew up in Bowden, lived in Calgary for 20 years, then moved back to his hometown.

It was suggested that he really loves the Bowden.

“A lot of memories,” he said. It's changed a lot, though. The people are really good still, and the community organizations are really good. But as you get older, you lose family and friends kind of thing, right?”

He was asked if his health is good.

“Yeah, yeah, more or less, for a guy that has a bad diet and doesn't get any exercise,” he said.

“Going golfing with the seniors, a lot of them, they're in the 80s, and I can barely keep up to them.”

Stuart noted that his house and that lot it sits on are relatively big.

“My wife and I don't need it anymore,” he said.


Doug Collie

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