For the second time in as many terms, the city of Humboldt will be electing a new mayor.
Rob Muench announced he will not be seeking re-election this fall after four years serving as Mayor and 10 years before that on council.
Muench was voted in back in 2016 to replace Malcolm Eaton, who previously served as Mayor for 10 consecutive years.
Muench says it was not an easy decision for him.
“I work a full-time job besides my position as Mayor, so over the last number of years, it’s been a little difficult to make the two mesh together,” Muench said. “Coming up to election time again, my wife and I just sat down and started thinking about what our plans are for the next couple of years.”
Muench admits the Humboldt Broncos bus crash did have an impact on his decision.
“I could’ve very well put in two terms worth of time in one term with all of the outcome of that tragedy that’s been with us for the last couple of years,” Muench said. “You throw the COVID thing on top of that, and it just makes for a little bit more of a challenge when I’m considering that I’ve got a full-time job.”
Some of the accomplishments Muench is most proud of include the construction of ball diamonds at Centennial Park, record paving in Humboldt this year, and replacing older infrastructure within the city.
Muench says he hopes people who run for council after him do so to better the city and not because of one particular issue the person may disagree with.
“The way I look at it is that’s really not the right reason to run,” Muench said. “I think with any city, you should be running to make your city or town a better place, and that’s the motto I’ve taken from the start, and I’m hoping that whoever goes from here will look at it the same way and not just run because they’ve got an agenda.”
When it comes to the future, Muench says he’s unsure of what exactly will happen, but running for a council seat could happen either this year or next election.
