After almost eight years at the helm of Havre de Grace's government, Mayor Wayne Dougherty confirmed his current term will be his last and he won't be seeking re-election.
Dougherty said he hopes to focus more on family and step out of the limelight.
"The 18 years that I have served, 10 on the council and eight as mayor, have been the best of my life," Dougherty, 67, said Wednesday.
"One of the biggest things that people don't realize is how much the families [of elected officials] sacrifice," he added.
Dougherty was first elected mayor in 2007 and re-elected in 2009, 20011 and 2013, the last when he easily defeated former city councilman Jim Miller.
The city already has two candidates for the mayor's race. Candidates can still file to run through March 17. The city election is May 5.
Charlie Hiner and Council President Bill Martin filed for mayor on the first day of the filing period March 3.
Hiner, a real estate agent for 15 years who bought BCH Real Estate from Allen Fair in 2004, said Wednesday he hopes to build on the city's strengths.
"I believe we need new leadership now and somebody with a better vision," Hiner said Wednesday. "We have had so much potential but it's time for us to take that potential and actually move it forward."
Hiner said he thinks Dougherty has done a good job "on certain avenues" and that he "inherited" a lot of issues, but he believes a change is needed.
"I think Wayne is truly ready for new leadership to come in," he said.
Hiner, 52, moved to Havre de Grace in 1990 and has been involved with a number of local groups. He served as president of the Lock House Museum in the 1990s and of Havre de Grace Main Street.
He continues to serve as president of Havre de Grace's Economic Development Advisory Board and St. John's Commons housing board.
Hiner said he hopes to make the council more accountable to residents and make it more proactive instead of reactive.
"We live in a great community but there's a lot of room for more improvements," he said, citing the water and sewer fund, whose debt has been a major problem for the city, as well as blight and issues with code enforcement.
Martin, a middle school teacher, has been a city council member since 2008, and his current term doesn't expire until next May.
Martin does not have to give up his seat to run for mayor but, if elected mayor, he would then have to resign his council seat and then appoint a successor, subject to confirmation by the new council, city Executive Assistant Shlya Glassman said.
Three city council seats held by veteran members Fred Cullum, John Correri and Randy Craig are up for re-election this year.
Cullum filed his candidacy last week and Correri signed up to run again Monday, Glassman said Wednesday.
First-time candidates David Martin, no relation to Bill Martin, and Johnny Boker also have filed for council seats.
Craig had not filed for another term as of Wednesday morning.
Voting will take place at St. Patrick Hall.