Brian Mayes leaving council, will run for school trustee

St. Vital Councillor Brian Mayes is stepping away from city hall to run for a school board trustee seat. Jeff Keele has more.

Another long-time Winnipeg city councillor is leaving city hall.

St. Vital councillor Brian Mayes announced he is not seeking re-election this fall.

Instead, Mayes plans on running for school trustee in the Louis Riel School Division.

Mayes was first elected in a 2011 byelection. He lists his accomplishments as increasing funding to cut down on sewage spills, reducing the completion date by 50 years for combined sewer work, securing $11 million for St. Vital Park, and “saving” the St. Vital Library.

“It’s been a good run,” said Mayes. “But this term has been challenging for me at city hall.”

Mayes spent years as chair of the Water and Waste Committee on the mayor’s Executive Policy Committee. Two years ago Mayor Scott Gillingham removed him from the role after Mayes was critical of new zoning rules for housing.

His announcement follows two other city hall veterans, John Orlikow and Janice Lukes, who have also said they are not running again.

Mayes says he will be endorsing a councillor candidate for St. Vital on Tuesday when registrations open.