Fernandez will not pursue 3rd term

Bloomington Mayor John Fernandez announced Friday that he will not seek reelection to a third term as mayor when his current one ends next year. \n"These have been the best years of my life, and I'm tremendously grateful to the people of Bloomington for giving me this opportunity," Fernandez said in a prepared statement.\nAfter three terms as mayor, a position he began in 1995, Fernandez said he wants to tackle other challenges. \n"We've been able to get a tremendous amount accomplished, and I just feel it's time for me to move on," Fernandez said. "(My leave) is an opportunity for the community to get a new leader."\nIf Fernandez's wishes come true, the city's new leader will be District 61 representative Mark Kruzan, D-Bloomington, who the mayor said he will endorse and support. He said he will do anything to help elect Kruzan as mayor.\n"I think he has the potential to really help keep the community together, which is so important," he said.\nFernandez said he would like to stay involved in community development and public policy after his term is over.\nBut he said to not expect a lame-duck term from him in his last year. Fernandez said he has a list of projects he hopes to complete before his term expires. \nHe said his main priority is to convert the rarely used CSX railroad tracks that run through downtown into a pedestrian and biking trail. The goal is part of the Alternative Transportation and Greenways System Plan that seeks to transform Bloomington's urban landscape. \n"We would like to see a multi-purpose path that would run through the heart of Bloomington and would aesthetically improve the look of Bloomington," said Penni Sims, spokeswoman for the City of Bloomington. "It would be a nice way to connect the community."\nThe mayor also said he hopes to pass a zoning ordinance that would establish design and density standards for downtown. The ordinance aims to maximize limited space by having businesses build up, instead of out, and encouraging them to move into vacant stores, instead of constructing new ones. \n"The idea is that space is at a premium and you should use it to the best of your ability," Sims said.\nFernandez said he also wants to open a new animal shelter for Bloomington, as the current one does not have adequate space, creating a strain for both employees and the animals.\nFernandez said his proudest accomplishment as mayor thus far has been the execution of various community projects, such as increasing public green spaces and creating WonderLab -- a children's science museum -- while maintaining a strong economy during a time of national economic distress.