As Coun. Mike Jenson moves into the New Year, he is planning to leave plastic bags and his alarm clock behind him - but not his career in municipal politics.
After 18 of working for Squamish Savings, he has opted for retirement.
"I feel like a canary being released into the wilderness," he said from his home on New Year's Eve (Dec. 31).
It was his first day as a retiree but already he had begun to shed the habits of an early riser.
"I slept into about 9 a.m. The whole household got up late," he confessed.
A lengthy list of odd jobs has been awaiting his attention, but Jenson said he is also planning on directing his free time toward council, where he once wrestled with the demands of his career and civic life.
"Working full-time didn't quite allow me to give the full attention I would have liked to," he said.
With an upcoming municipal election in November, Jenson said he is considering running for mayor or councillor.
He said his decision will be influenced by the competition. "It comes down basically to who are the horses in the gate."
When he's not delving into council issues or volunteer work with the Squamish Historical Society, Jenson said he would like to spare himself from mental headwork.
He said he is looking forward to spending more time with his family and taking up more hiking and mountain biking on local trails.
Although he's not sure what shape his own daily schedule will take, he said one habit he is hoping to kick is the use of plastic bags.
"I've been rel-atively successful in the last couple days, but you've got to remember those cloth bags," he said.
