Drew Brown has decided two three-year terms as Orangeville's mayor are enough.

"I don't intend to run in the next election," the mayor said in a telephone interview Wednesday.

"It's time for me to look at what I'm going to do in the rest of my working life," he added, without giving any hints as to what that might be.

"I think it's an appropriate time for a change in leadership."

Long rumoured as a potential Conservative candidate in the next federal or provincial election, Mr. Brown was content to reflect on his past achievements and express his disappointment at the fact next November's municipal elections will be the last until 2010, thanks to a new provincial law extending councils' terms to four years.

Asked what he considers were his major accomplishments as mayor, he replied that the most significant one was "having Humber college come to town."

However, a close second was his work at the County level that saw Orangeville finally get Dufferin 109 extended to form a new south bypass.

He said the "next two" achievements were the $15 million in infrastructure improvements, including the controversial new median on Broadway, and improved decorum at town council meetings.

"I don't take the credit for it, but we've had two sets of councillors who have worked very well together. There have been disagreements, all right, but it's never acrimonious."

As for the length of council terms, the mayor said, "I think the three-year term was just right."

He expressed concern that in future the electors will find they have elected the wrong person and have no recourse for another four years.

His fear is that the fouryear term will keep a lot of good people from even considering seeking office. "I've always felt that the more candidates we have the better."

At present, the only declared candidate for the mayoralty, Brent Blackburn, has no experience on council.