The race for the mayor's office has begun.

Coun. Bev Buckway told the Star Tuesday night she is running for the highest office in the city.

'I guess I had people ask me when I was running for councillor, people asked me whether I'd run for mayor,' Buckway said when asked about her decision. 'I also had people approach me over the term.'

Buckway is finishing her first term on city council and will be taking on the incumbent mayor, Ernie Bourassa.

So far, there are no other challengers for mayor.

Buckway recently applied for a job outside of city hall, she added, but has decided it's time to run for mayor.

'It's kind of like the old saying, You either step up or step out,'' Buckway said.

Sporting a Jim Robb 'Buckway for Mayor' button, the councillor described her supporters' encouragement as 'humbling'.

She said there are a number of things she'd like to focus on if she were to lead council over the next three years.

'I want to finish off some of the current issues,' she said, listing items such as the city's new fire hall that's in the works, and the revamping of the water and sewer systems.

'Somewhere along the line, we have to get these planning issues settled,' she added.

Buckway said she also believes relationships between the various levels of government is also an important issue. She advocates for the city hiring a communications officer.

When asked about a mayor's role, Buckway said she believes it's to lead.

'When you think of what the mayor's role is, it's not to ram your own ideas down people's throat,' she said.

'A mayor should have good communication and display leadership ....'

The mayor should also, Buckway added, act as the city's ambassador.

Responding to her plans this morning, Bourassa, who is vying for his third straight term in the mayor's chair, said he wasn't totally surprised by Buckway's move.

'Well, it wouldn't be the first time that a councillor has decided to run for mayor, and I'm certain she won't be the last one.

'I wish her well and the best of luck,' he said.

Buckway was the longtime owner of a local barber shop before she entered politics.

Her sister, Pam, has also been in politics, having served as a cabinet minister in Pat Duncan's 2000-02 Liberal government.

With Bev Buckway's decision and Coun. Mel Stehelin's intention not to seek re-election, two councilor's seats are now open to newcomers in the Oct. 19 election.