After much speculation, former Brampton mayor Susan Fennell has announced she will not be attempting a comeback in 2018.

Fennell, who served as mayor from 2000-2014, took to Facebook earlier this week to address rumours she was planning to take a run at a return to the mayor’s chair in the upcoming October municipal election.

“The question I am most asked is ‘Are you running for Mayor in 2018?’ My answer is ‘No, I will not be on the Ballot for Mayor in 2018’”, wrote Fennell in her brief post on Tuesday (May 22).

“Today I celebrate my 65th Birthday, proud to have been Brampton’s longest serving and first female Mayor of the City. It has been an honour to serve as the People's Mayor.”

Fennell was defeated by incumbent mayor Linda Jeffrey in 2014. Jeffrey has already announced she will be seeking re-election this fall.

During her time in office, Fennell was something of a polarizing figure. Accomplishments under her watch included Brampton’s ZUM rapid transit expansion and the construction of the Rose Theatre.

Her tenure wasn’t without controversy, though. Her alleged personal use of the city credit card made headlines in 2014. An independent audit originally found Fennell had violated council rules and was ordered by the rest of council to make reparations. However, a subsequent OPP investigation cleared her of wrongdoing and council cancelled the reparations order.

In 2013, it was revealed she was among the highest paid mayors in Canada, which became an election issue when Jeffrey vowed to slash the mayor’s salary by $50,000 per year if elected.

A $28.5 million lawsuit against the city filed by Brampton development firm Inzola Group Inc. is before the Ontario Court of Justice in Orangeville. The suit alleges Fennell and senior staff at the time were biased against Inzola and unfairly disqualified the firm during a bidding process.

None of the allegations have been proven in court.