Brian Schulz will not be seeking a fifth term as Mayor.
After one spell as Town councillor and four consecutive terms as Mayor, Schulz believes it is time to bow out of local government.
He plans to step away from politics completely, and will not be running for a councillor seat in October.
“I have enjoyed serving and representing the Town of Barrhead over the past 15 years and I thank the people of Barrhead for allowing me to do so,” he said last week.
“My desire has always been for Barrhead to continue to be a safe, clean and caring community; a place where we want to raise our family; a community that is attractive with parks that we can all be proud of and a community that offers great services recreationally for a high quality of life.”
As a former businessman, Schulz said promoting a healthy environment for stores and companies to flourish had always been a priority.
“I wanted Barrhead’s businesses and entrepreneurs to not be bogged down by red tape but to be welcomed with open arms and be appreciated for their commitment to our community.”
Schulz doffed his hat to his fellow councillors.
“I have been very fortunate to have worked with very good people on council,” he said. “They are committed and have a desire to make Barrhead a better place to live.”
During Schulz’s time on council, Barrhead has seen many developments, including a new Agrena hockey rink, Public Works Shop, Japanese Gardens, seniors’ home in the form of Shepherd’s Care, town signs, walking trail and benches and tennis courts.
Plans have also been drawn up for a new aquatic centre on land near the Keir Care Centre. Fund-raising for the pool is well under way and the public will have a chance to vote on the project in an October plebiscite.
Schulz also takes pride in the quality and number of businesses and doctors in the community; town paving, sidewalk and infrastructure programs which are five years ahead of schedule; widening of road through Barrhead, with paved service roads; budgets that have always tried to keep taxes to a minimum; and the continued beautification of the town, with an abundance of flowers to brighten up the environment.
Among new events and initiatives to have taken place during his tenure as Mayor are the 55-Plus Summer Games, the Queen of Hearts Triathlon and the Habitat for Humanity project.
Meanwhile, events such as the Wildrose Rodeo, New Year’s fireworks, Volunteers Appreciation Night, street parades, and twinning exchanges with Tokoro (Kitami) in Japan have continued to grow in strength.
However, Schulz draws most satisfaction from his contact with people.
“Most of all, what I hoped to accomplish was that I was able to be there for the citizens, to provide answers to questions, clear up concerns, resolve some problems, and provide help, encouragement and resources for the various initiatives that the citizens of Barrhead undertook for the betterment of our community,” he said.
“God has truly blessed our community with hard working, family orientated, giving-from-the-heart people and it has always been an honour to represent them and our beautiful town.”
Schulz said he was immensely thankful to have received the support of his family.
“My wife Lois has been an incredibly blessing and has always supported me in my duties as a Mayor,” he said.
“I’ve enjoyed working with the friendly people of this community in the best town ever know to me – the town of Barrhead.”
