Despite stating his intentions to run for a fourth term representing Westlock County Div. 7, Bert Seatter has opted to sit the next four years out.
He said he made his decision close to the last minute, deciding not to file his completed nomination papers during the two-hour window on Sept. 23.
“I went out and got all the names I needed, and then I came in and sat down with my wife,” Seatter said.
That discussion touched on the fact some people have the tendency to remind elected politicians that they weren’t the only choice the voters had.
What also came up was the potential of hanging on too long.
“The sad thing is, what sometimes happens, is all the good stuff you’ve done is completely overlooked if you push it a little bit further than you need to,” he said, adding he decided it was best to take a break.
He recounted a conversation he had with a former Woodlands County councillor during an ag tour this summer that made him think about stepping away from politics.
“He said, ‘you know, it’s probably a good idea to step back once in a while, to take another look at it,’” Seatter said.
Seatter’s decision to ultimately step away from the council table was completely unexpected by his fellow councillors.
“Surprised,” was the word reeve Charles Navratil used to describe his reaction.
Navratil said he had heard nothing that hinted Seatter was planning not to run again, and only found out when Seatter’s nomination papers were not filed.
Although he is taking a break, Seatter did not summarily rule out the possibility he could reenter politics.
However, that is obviously a decision that won’t be made for four more years.
Meanwhile, Seatter said he wishes all the candidates and the next batch of councillors all the best as they look after the county for the next four years.
