Councillor Bill Marra will not run in October municipal election

For the first time in 27years BillMarra'sname will not be on the ballot this fall whenWindsoritesvote in themunicipal election.

Marra, the longest serving councillor on Windsor's council,said he is stepping aside from city politics after acouncilmeeting on Monday.

Bill Marra won't be on the ballot this election

6 years ago

Duration 0:31

Bill Marra said he's ready to leave municipal politics.

While not completely ruling out a future in politics,Marraadmits he won't be running for council inthe October22ndelection.

He was first elected as a city councillor in 1994 for Ward 4 and currently serves at the councillor for Ward 8.

'Time to move forward'

"I've enjoyed every moment of it, even some of the difficult days," saidMarra, following the council meeting.

"I love Windsor as much as anyone else but it is time for me to move forward and move on and hopefully thatseat willbe filled with new ideas."

Marrasaiddebated on whether or not to run last election. He thought his experience would serve the city well as a few new members joined.

"There are a lot of reasons why, and frankly I was 29 when I was elected ... sometimes you have to respect and appreciate your body and your mind and shift gears a little bit," he said, adding that he'sbusy with his career as the vice president of external and government affairs at HotelDieuGrace Healthcare.

• BillMarrawon't run for mayor, citing family and workload

• Windsor city council report card: BillMarra- Ward 8

Marrasays some of his most proud moments are mitigating flooding in his ward, building a library and investing around theFontainebleauarea.

"Some of the most important and proud moments are those small investments and decisions in my ward that made a difference in quality of life," he said.

Legacy left behind

Marra said he takes pride in is advocacy for public transit and making sure Windsor is included in Ontario's plan for high speed rail.

"I would liketo think part of what I leave behind is a member of council that was ethical, that was bound by strong moral ground and good values, always did the right thing for the right reasons,"Marrasaid.

Marra was first elected in 1994 then re-elected in 1997, 2000, 2006, 2010 and 2014.

His only break from sitting around the council table was in 2003 when he was defeated in the mayoral race by Eddie Francis.Marraoriginally represented Ward 4 in 2010 he was voted intothe newly established Ward 8 on the city's east-side.