THEBACHA/FORT SMITH - Fort Smith will be in for a big political change this coming fall.

Peter Martselos: longest-serving mayor in NWT known as a tireless promoter of Fort Smith. - NNSL file photo

After 12 years as mayor, Peter Martselos has decided not to seek re-election in the Oct. 19 municipal election.

"Of course, it's a big decision, but I feel there are a lot of good people in the community and they can continue the good work for the citizens of Fort Smith," he said.

Along with being mayor for a dozen years, Martselos served on council for about 15 years before that.

"Of course I'll miss it, but I'll be in the community," he said, adding Fort Smith is his home and the people are his friends. Martselos said he is retiring so he can spend more time with his family.

The outgoing mayor can look back on a number of accomplishments by the town during his time in office, such as investments in recreation facilities such as the new swimming pool, attracting diamond mine workers to live in the community, and demolition of the old St. Anne's Hospital, to name a few.

Martselos also touted the town's current five-year capital plan, which will see $10 to $12 million invested in infrastructure, such as repair and replacement of water and sewer lines, recreation upgrades, a new trail system and street paving in 2010.

The mayor said the work will be done with funding from various sources, but no increase in taxes for residents.

Martselos is known as a tireless promoter of Fort Smith.

"It was something that was in my blood," he said, adding he has proclaimed the benefits of the town across the country. Martselos said his biggest disappointment as mayor involved transportation, specifically Highway 5 not being completely chipsealed and the failed bid to create a so-called road south through Wood Buffalo National Park.

While both areas are outside the town's jurisdiction, Martselos argued strenuously for the projects over the years.

"Highway 5 should have been chipsealed years ago," he said.

The idea of a 118-km road south – on an old logging road in the park – looked close to becoming reality before being halted in 2005 by the Supreme Court of Canada, which ruled Fort Chipewyan's Mikisew Cree First Nation had not been properly consulted. Martselos was president of the Thebacha Road Society, the proponent organization for the road south.

Despite those challenges, he said he has enjoyed his time as mayor, adding he is currently the longest-serving mayor in the NWT.

Martselos said his decision to resign was "absolutely not" influenced by the current controversy in Fort Smith over large payments made to the municipality's former senior administration officer Roy Scott, who was fired earlier this year.

Originally from Greece, Martselos has lived in Fort Smith for 42 years, after first arriving in town to visit a brother.

"I fell in love with the people, the community, and, of course, my wife," he said.

His wife is Chief Frieda Martselos of Salt River First Nation.

Nominations for mayor and council in Fort Smith opened Aug. 31 and will close on Sept. 14.