After serving as Ashland’s mayor for nine years, Glen Stewart will be stepping down from his position effective Jan. 21.

“It’s time,” Mayor Stewart simply stated when asked his reasoning for retirement, saying the increasing demands from the job were becoming more difficult to handle.

Despite retiring in January, Stewart’s term will not end until Dec. 2017, and therefore, the city needed to find someone to replace him for the remainder of his term.

On Wednesday afternoon, City Council appointed Duane Fishpaw to fill that place.

Looking back on his time serving as mayor, Stewart says he is most thankful for the members on his team who he had the opportunity to work with other the years.

“I have a tremendous team that I am with everyday,” said Stewart. “They have become friends. I know in business, you need to be careful about having friends and being their boss, but it has worked very well. Working with the community and working with those who serve the community has been very gratifying.”

Before becoming mayor, Stewart served as a councilman from 1981-1989 and then 2001-2008 before being named mayor, although he says helping to reopen the bankrupt Archway cookie plant was one of the most rewarding parts of his career.

“I was a part of the team that was able to keep Archway in Ashland open and help bring back 200 employees,” Stewart said. “I am really pleased I was able to play a part in that, it was an awesome experience for me.”

According to Stewart, making the decision to remain in office until Jan. 21 was strategic and is his intends to keep moving forward with the issues that were passed in the 2016 Election including that of the police division and improvement of Ashland’s roadways, although he plans to continue working with the community even after leaving the office.

“Saturday afternoon, when walk out of the office on the 21^st, I will be working, just like I do everyday, for the benefit of the community, that is just the way I am,” Stewart said.

Stewart said after his departure, he hopes the community will support whoever will be taking his place and continue to do things that support the Ashland community.

“The city won’t miss a lick, the businesses won’t miss a lick when people step down,” Stewart said. “You just have to remember, we are a spoke in the wheel and the wheel will keep turning.”