At the Mayor's Annual Memorial Day Breakfast, Mayor Bill Ham announced he would not seek re-election.
"I've got some business plans and some things I would like to do," Ham said. "This job requires a good bit of time and a lot of the time it is not very flexible."
Auburn will be looking for a new mayor for the first time since 1998. Ron Anders Jr., Ward 2 city councilman, is likely to run, Ham said.
"He's paid his civic rents at this point," Ham said. "It's time to turn it over to some younger folks."
Ham and Anders have worked closely over the last four years as Anders served as the mayor pro tem.
Ham hopes the Memorial Day and Veterans Day annual celebrations will continue once he is no longer mayor. Anders plans to continue both celebrations, Ham said.
Ham decided to break his news at the Memorial Day Breakfast because of his respect for and involvement with the veterans in Auburn.
"I've been on the City Council since 1986 and have served you as mayor for the past 20 years," Ham said. "What your confidence, trust and friendship have meant to me over the years can't be measured. Now, it’s the time for the city to move on with new leadership."
Throughout the breakfast, several speakers thanked Ham for his 32 years of service to the Auburn community.
"Needless to say, we’re going to miss him not only as mayor but as a leader in this community," said Ward 6 City Councilman and retired Capt. Dick Phelan. "We have often recognized him as somebody that we certainly like, and he's been a great mayor."
Lily Jackson, managing editor, contributed to this article.
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