Haymarket Mayor Pamela Stutz said on Monday that she will not seek re-election in 2012 after what will be seven years leading the town council.

"I don't plan on running again," said Stutz. "I feel I have put in quite a few years and I'm hoping somebody will step forward and take over the responsibility."

The mayor indicated during the 2011 campaign season that she did not intend to seek office again in 2012 but confirmed that her mind has not changed during an interview on Nov. 14.

What also stood out is that, in interviews with four council members, none of them indicated that they would be running for re-election either.

At the same time, none ruled it out.

That indicates either a general lack of enthusiasm among council members or at the least suggests a lack of interest in dedicating two more years of service in their current roles as elected officials to the town’s governing body.

For town residents seeking a spot on the six-member council, each retirement makes it easier to win a seat. As a general rule in politics, it is harder to oust a non-scandal plagued incumbent than win an open seat, though that is not always the case.

All six seats, along with the mayor, will be up for election on May 8.

The current term for all town council members and the mayor ends at the end of June 2012.

"You hate to make a commitment now," said vice mayor John Cole. "I'd rather not say until I'm sure."

Cole explained that he is "getting more involved" at his church, the Manassas Assembly of God, adding that he’s spent the better part of the last decade involved in town government.

"I would really be excited to see a lot of people come out and run and give the people a lot of choice," he said.

Council member Bob Weir said that his "preference is not to" run, but he may be compelled to do so again.

According to Weir, what concerns him is the possible lack of continuality at a time when the town faces major challenges regarding annexation of several adjacent properties.

The town is consulting an attorney specializing in boundary line adjustments as it considers its potential legal options.

Haymarket could find itself in a court battle with the county if the town council decides to pursue taking over control of the commercial property on the west side of U.S. 15 along with other residential areas, such as the southern part of Greenhill Crossing.

Cole and Weir are the two senior-most members of the town council, along with the mayor, who previously served as a regular council member.

Weir previously made headlines early this year when he weighed a primary challenge to Board of County Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart. He never followed through, however.

So when asked if he would consider running for mayor instead, Weir replied, "Absolutely frickin' not."

Meanwhile, council member Jay Tobias said that he has "not decided" what he 2012 plans are yet, saying he has plenty of time until the March 13 filing deadline.

"I've got other issues on my mind right now," he said, citing "professional" and "personal" items.

"I'll keep all my options open," he said, not ruling in or out a bid for mayor.

He did have something to say about Stutz’s tenure, however, stating, "Quite frankly, I’m not sure that there hasn’t been a lot that’s been accomplished since 2006 that people can put their hands on," emphasizing "results that people can touch, see or feel."

Stutz, naturally, disagreed.

"I think we've made some great strides in the town. I think it looks a lot cleaner than it was in the past," said Stutz, though she singled out some of the dilapidated buildings near the town center as exceptions.

Tobias and council member David Leake are both serving after having lost previous contests following their first terms. Tobias edged out Leake for the sixth and final seat in the 2010 election.

However, when former council member Susan Edwards resigned, Leake defeated appointed former council member Sterling Brinson in a special election to reclaim his seat.

"I haven’t given it that much thought yet," said Leake when asked about his 2012 options.

Leake was the only one of the four members interviewed though to state definitively that he was "leaning toward running again," though he ruled out a bid for mayor.

"Honestly, to me, in order to even consider something like that, I would have to have time that I don't have," he said, adding bluntly, "I will not run for mayor."

Council members Milt Kenworthy and Mary Lou Scarbrough did not return calls requesting comment before deadline.