Even cancer didn’t make Larry Cross consider cutting short his duties as mayor of Sidney.
But as his second term reaches its natural end, the chief councillor has decided it’s time to make room for a new leader and enjoy his restored health.
Cross, 73, announced Thursday night that he will not seek re-election.
“I’ve got a lot of things I want to do in my life,” he said.
“One of the problems with being mayor is that it’s an endless series of demands on your time.”
Cross was diagnosed with colon cancer 21/2 years ago. Confident that he would recover, he never considered quitting his civic duties, instead working from his hospital bed on occasion.
He began feeling better about one year ago and has been “functioning fairly well all the way through,” although he continues to feel side effects. The illness was not the basis of his decision, but it did give him a new perspective.
“I learned suddenly that we don’t live forever,” he said.
The move to a four-year municipal term from three years didn’t affect his decision, he said, although he expected it might affect others. Sooke Mayor Wendal Milne cited the extended term when he announced in June that he would not run again.
Cross has enjoyed widespread support from his constituents.
After one term as a town councillor, he won two consecutive landslide elections for mayor — doubling the votes of his nearest challenger in 2008, then tripling the votes of his nearest challenger in 2011.
The former school administrator ran on a platform promising to maintain the seaside charm of Sidney while stimulating economic growth.
During his tenure, the town signed a 20-year lease with Washington State Ferries for the Anacortes ferry terminal, terminated the Sidney Business Association’s licence to run the Sidney Summer Market, and adopted a zoning bylaw aimed at bringing more young families and workers to Sidney.
Cross also proposed increased regulations on mobility scooters — rejected by the Union of B.C. Municipalities — and the smoking ban for playgrounds in the Capital Regional District.
He will spend the remainder of his term focusing on a mayor’s task force on downtown redevelopment, which he believes will leave the town in good standing for the next mayor.
“I think the thing I’m most proud of is the recovery that we’ve been working through,” he said. “Sidney is looking forward to a very prosperous future.”
The biggest challenge for his successor will be maintaining peace in council, he said.
“One of the most challenging things for the mayor is to ensure that council functions effectively, that the members treat one another with respect and courtesy — and that the same courtesy and respect be shown to anyone in the chamber at any time,” he said.
Neither of the two councillors reached Friday had critical words for Cross.
Coun. Marilyn Loveless said Cross had a full council in support of his vision to move Sidney forward without disturbing its small-town character.
“I’m disappointed because he was an outstanding mayor,” she said. “But I do understand people have private lives and are entitled to live them.”
Loveless said she was not ready to announce whether she planned to run in the municipal election Nov. 15.
Coun. Tim Chad has served with three mayors and said Cross did as well as the others.
“They all love their community, and I think that’s the important part,” he said.
Cross said he plans to put his support behind a mayoral candidate to replace him as the election approaches.
“I’m not prepared to say who, but I will,” he said.
The next chapter of Cross’s life will involve lots of time with his grandchildren, ages five and two, as well as travel with his wife. He plans to continue working in public service in a more informal capacity.
“I’ll get involved in volunteer groups where my skills and ability and energy will make a difference,” he said.
