Three terms is enough.

Coos Bay Mayor Joe Benetti said Thursday he will not seek another term as the city's top elected official.

Benetti, 52, who has served for 12 years on the City Council, said he hadn't intended to run for a third term as mayor two years ago because of pressing business obligations. With his wife, Tricia, Benetti owns and operates Benetti's Italian Restaurant in downtown Coos Bay. However, he was urged to stay on and was successful in a two-man race with Coos Bay resident Fred Kirby.

But this year, the decision is final, Benetti said.

“I talked to my wife, and we both decided this is best for us,” Benetti said. “And I talked to Jeff (McKeown) and I'm happy to see that he's going to run.”

McKeown said Benetti has been a good mayor who has worked hard and kept the city's interests uppermost in his mind.

“I've never once seen Joe make a decision based on selfishness, and I admire that,” McKeown said.

Although Benetti is bowing out of city government, he still will be serving on the Coos County Airport Board of Directors. He was appointed in January to fill the vacancy created by the departure of Sue Richardson.

And while he won't seek another term as mayor, he said he will stand for election to the Airport Board.

“They asked me when they interviewed me for the position if I would run again,” Benetti said.

“I told them I would, and I intend to.”

- Kathy Erickson , editor