A municipal leader who led his community through one of the worst natural disasters in Canada in recent years will not be seeking municipal re-election.

Brian Button of Channel-Port aux Basques has openly admitted that Hurricane Fiona, which claimed one life and rendered a large part of his town to piles of rubble, took an emotional toll on him.

He says municipal politics as a whole can be tough.

“There’s so much negativity these days…it’s been a hard three years,” says Brian Button who was first elected to council in 1993. He says it’s been a great run, and the people of the community have been great, “but it’s time for me now to spend some time with family and grandkids and those type things. What the future holds for me and what other direction I’m going to go, who knows?”

Long-time MHA Andrew Parsons has already signaled his intention not to run again, leaving the seat in Burgeo – Lapoile up for grabs.

Button was quick to rule out a run at the Liberal leadership however.