CANTON – Mayor Mary Ann Ashley says she will not seek a second term this November in that post.

The former trustee and first-term mayor says she is declining another run “due to unforeseen personal circumstances.”

“We have accomplished what I vowed to address and never once wavered on being focused on the people,” Ashley said in a Letter to the editor of NorthCountryNow.com. “I am especially proud to have brought integrity back to the mayor’s office.”

She expressed gratitude to the “seven elected people (who) chose to employ a comprehensive strategic planning model to local government,” noting the work of former trustees Dan McDonnell and Brooke Rouse, and current board members Beth Larrabee, Dwight Stevenson, Carol Pynchon and Mike Dalton.

Ashley, a Republican who ran on the Democratic Party ballot line, said that “addressing finances, implementing a human capital campaign and focusing workplace environments were our priorities. Not only did we meet the majority of our goals, we went above and beyond responding to opportunities that will benefit Canton.

“I am truly grateful for this experience and thank the wonderful individuals that were part of this journey.,” the mayor said.

No Democratic candidates for the position have publicly come forward.

Town of Canton Democratic Party Chair Jennie Bacon said no date for the party’s caucus has been set but that it will have to be before Sept. 17, which is the last day to file a certificate of nomination with the county Board of Elections, of which she is the Democratic commissioner.