Bronconnier bows out of mayor's race

Dave Bronconnier has decided three terms is enough. The mayor of Calgary announced yesterday he wouldn’t be seeking a fourth-consecutive term in the city’s upcoming October election, leaving the field wide open to new candidates. In his nine years in the mayor’s seat, Bronconnier oversaw several major infrastructure upgrades, including an expansion of the city’s light-rail service and the implementation of a recycling program, as Calgary tried to keep up with the oil and natural resources boom. Though he’s been criticized for hiking taxes to pay for the expansion in government services, Bronconnier said in a speech yesterday he had no regrets.  “Calgary is well-positioned for the future,” he said. “That’s the key, that we have made the right strategic investments for the long term of this community.” So far, the early favourite to replace Bronconnier is Ald. Ric McIver, who’s yet to announce he’s running for the job, but who was expected to challenge Bronconnier in a heated race this fall.