SNOQUALMIE – After eight years under his influence, things have gotten a little Fuzzy in Snoqualmie.

But come election season this year, you won’t see Fuzzy Fletcher’s name on the ballot again. The mayor is retiring from politics.

Fletcher announced at the Feb. 28 City Council meeting that he would not be running for mayor again this November because he wants to spend more time with his family.

“My family basically waited for me for 10 years while I’ve been mayor and on city council for two and a half years,” Fletcher said. “I’m going to keep going strong until the end of the year, keep my foot on the gas pedal all way to Dec. 31. There won’t be any changes there.”

Fletcher came to office in 1998 after beating Snoqualmie Mayor Jeanne Hansen in the 1997 election. He had spent the previous two years as a city council member.

He has overseen prodigious growth in the city, as most of the development of the Snoqualmie Ridge neighborhood had occurred during his tenure. The city has also completed or approved numerous capital projects, including a new fire hall and a renovation of the old City Hall.

Among the things Fletcher feels proud of helping the city accomplish are the Snoqualmie Preservation Initiative, the 205 project as well as dealing with Snoqualmie’s tremendous growth in residential property and its business park.

“I think we’ve accomplished good things,” he said. “I thank everyone for allowing me to be a public servant for the last 10 years. It really has been a good time. We have a lot more to do in the next nine to 10 months.”

City Council members and staff had little to say about Fletcher’s announcement at the meeting, but seemed to be hopeful for the future.

“We’ll look forward to a heck of a party in December then,” said City Councilwoman Maria Henriksen.

Come November, five city council seats will be up for re-election along with the mayor’s seat. Fletcher said he’s heard talk of a few people interested in running for mayor, but it’s still anybody’s game.