When next year's municipal election rolls around, the longest serving councillor's name will not be on a ballot

When next year's municipal election rolls around, the longest serving councillor's name will not be on a ballot.

Stephen Adams has announced he will not be reoffering.

The councillor for Spryfield-Sambro Loop-Prospect Road made the announcement on the eve his 28th anniversary of first being elected to Halifax City Hall, and chose Friday to make the announcement because the date is special to him.

He also wanted to give potential candidates plenty of time to become more familiar with the area, the issues and the people.

"District 11 is quite large. It takes about an hour to drive from one end to the other, without traffic or lights," Adams said in a news release.

"It would be unfair to those seeking to run, for me to wait until sometime next year to make this announcement."

Once Adams steps back from public life, he plans to spend more quality time with his wife Colleen, and two children, Alanah and Matt. Until then, he says there's still plenty of work to be done.

"I'm not one to coast to the finish line in anything I do ... and you can be sure I will be ever-present, extremely active and engaged every step of the way," he said. "My commitment to the many communities and residents I serve will be unwavering."