MacDonald hanging up politics

Bernie MacDonald. (QMI Agency file photo)

With 28 years experience and his popularity still high, London’s longest-serving city politician is calling it quits.

Ward 3 veteran Bernie MacDonald stunned his council colleagues Monday night, announcing he’s not seeking re-election and will leave city hall — where he was first elected in 1980.

“It’s very emotional after all these years,” MacDonald, 67, said. “I’ve been thinking about this for the last few months.”

In January, MacDonald — recently recognized as one of Ontario longest-serving civic politicians — filed his papers to run again in Ward 3.

He is withdrawing his name from the race.

Popularity, though, is not an issue: In 2006, MacDonald was re-elected with a whopping 73% of votes cast.

“I enjoyed doing what I did,” he said. “My (vote total) never went down — it always went up.”

MacDonald said a Saturday night talk with family members sealed the decision.

A fellow east London councillor said he hopes the next city council honours MacDonald’s lengthy service.

“It’s a great loss to council. He’s one of the longest-, hardest-working councillors ever,” said Ward 2 Coun. Bill Armstrong.

“To be honest, I was a bit thrown off and shocked.”

MacDonald’s announcement, just as Monday’s council meeting began, was met with stunned silence by the rest of council.

Coun. Roger Caranci, who lives in MacDonald’s ward, later said he hopes MacDonald is appropriately honoured for his work.

Born in Cape Breton, MacDonald came to London at age 28.

He raised his family here while working at Ontario Hydro, Westinghouse and GM Diesel. He retired from GM in 2000.

He’s served on city council since 1980, with a two-year break at one point.

MacDonald, who often represented London at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, quickly cited a few achievements as career highlights.

He said his best memories were saving the North London Optimists Centre, helping get women hired at the London fire department and pushing through one of Canada’s first anti-graffiti bylaws.

MacDonald’s departure makes the race in Ward 3 much more interesting.

It’s unclear if a big name candidate will jump in before the nomination deadline of Sept. 10.

Two people are registered to run in the ward: Rod Morley, who lost to MacDonald in ’06, and Fanshawe teacher German Gutierrez.