Heather Wright/The Independent

Petrolia will have a new mayor in 2026.

Brad Loosley told council Tuesday he would not seek a third term in the coming October election.

Loosley said he didn’t come to the decision easily. “I love the community. I love doing what I’m doing, but I felt I’ve been in municipal government for 44 years – eight years as mayor,” Loosley told The Independent after the meeting.

“I just felt it was some else’s turn to take.”

The mayor said he wanted to be upfront about his intentions.

“A long time ago I was told you really should tell council in a lot of time so they can start planning on what they would like to do.

“I felt it was only fair to tell them.”

Loosley says he’ll continue his regular duties until the election. “I’m still involved until October.”

Loosley served during some of the more difficult moment’s of the town’s history. He was the clerk of the town when Victoria Hall burned down. He was mayor of Petrolia during the pandemic.

And Loosley presided over the Petrolia150 celebrations.