Troy

An emotional Mayor Lou Rosamilia announced Monday he would not seek a second term, ending months of speculation about his election plans.

"In the end, my decision is a personal one," Rosamilia said at a news conference. He was flanked by his wife, Peggy, and Democratic political leaders and elected officials.

The mayor said he wanted to dedicate himself "to my faith and to my family" when he leaves office at the end of the year.

In the last few months, Rosamilia's administration has been hammered by an ongoing federal investigation of the demolition of buildings contaminated with asbestos, the city's precarious financial situation after years of drained reserve funds and its decision not to thaw city water pipes connected to residences.

Rosamilia, however, has generally embraced each challenge and not ducked responsibility in controversial matters. He said the federal investigation did not play a role in his decision not to run for another four-year term.

Rosamilia, a retired Hudson Valley Community College accounting professor, will leave a city whose downtown core is experiencing economic growth while the city government struggles with a financial crisis.

He was elected mayor in 2011 as a candidate selected by the Democratic Party leadership for his integrity and to restore confidence. City Democrats had gone through an absentee ballot fraud investigation that resulted in guilty pleas by a councilman, the city clerk and two party operatives.

"He's the most honorable man I've ever known," Democratic City Chairman Jack McCann said.

Rosamilia said he honored his 2011 campaign pledges to work on revitalizing the city's neighborhoods, restore police officers to the city's schools and reinstituted the police department's emergency response team.

City residents also have been given a greater voice in city affairs, the mayor said. He pointed to launching the current city Charter Commission, the start of a new city comprehensive plan, the Transport Troy program, as well as sustainability and composting programs.

During his administration, Troy started the city's land bank program to fight urban blight and instituted a new emergency snow removal program. The city also reached a deal on redeveloping the former City Hall site at 1 Monument Square.

During the past 15 months, Rosamilia has often faced difficulties with the City Council. The council conducted hearings in 2014 on the demolition work at 4-10 King St. and the King Fuels site, as well as hearings on the police department's response to a bar brawl.

Rosamilia said the city will continue to face financial stress until it pays off the state municipal assistance bonds in 2021.

Rosamilia is the first of the city's mayors under the current charter not to seek re-election. Both previous incumbents, Democrat Mark Pattison and Republican Harry Tutunjian, served the maximum of two consecutive terms allowed under the city charter.

His decision opens the way for his fellow Democrats to battle for the party nomination without having to confront the popular mayor in a primary. Rosamilia said he was not endorsing anyone at this time, but that the candidate should put the city before personal ambitions.

McCann said the Democrats' nominating committee will meet next week to prepare for interviewing candidates for the November elections.

"We will look at the people that have already expressed an interest. We have to have someone who is willing to put in the 18-hour days," McCann said.

City Council President Rodney Wiltshire, Rensselaer County Legislator Edward Manny and newcomer Ernest Everett have said they want the party's endorsement for mayor.

"It can be a tough job. I respect his decision not to seek a second term," said Wiltshire, who plans to kick off his campaign at noon Wednesday.

Democrats dominate the city's voter rolls. Among 21,144 voters are 8,033 enrolled Democrats; 6,219 unaffiliated voters; 3,502 Republicans; 1,448 Independence Party; 1,190 Conservatives; and 457 Working Families Party. The remaining voters are enrolled in smaller parties.

On the Republican side, Councilman Jim Gordon and former councilwoman and mayoral candidate Carmella Mantello have expressed interest in running. Both wished Rosamilia well in retirement.

kcrowe@timesunion.com • 518-454-5084 • @KennethCrowe