SPRINGFIELD – With the announcement that two veteran at-large members of the City Council will not seek re-election, it guaranteed there would be new members of the council when they are sworn into office on January 2018.

Tim Rooke and state Rep. Bud Williams made their announcements last week.

Rooke, speaking to Reminder Publications, said he has come to the his decision largely because of the time restraints in his personal life.

“I was stretching myself way too thin. I wasn’t putting the time and effort into the City Council,” Rooke said. He added, “I’ve run out of gas.”

Rooke, who was a key supporter in the candidacy of Gov. Charlie Baker, said he has also had to address inquiries from constituents involving the governor. Noting that he has always loved helping constituents, he said there have been too many people trying to get his attention.

Rooke has been on the council for 24 years. “Very honestly, I’ve been blessed. I’ve been very lucky,” he said. “It’s been an honor to serve, a privilege to have support of so many people in the neighborhoods across the city.”

He said he sought working on issues that weren’t “flashy” but were helpful in brining in revenue into the city. He recalled when the Finance Control Board was in power working on implementing a city ordinance that forced businesses with city-issued licenses to pay any back-taxes or lose the license needed for operation. Rooke explained this came out of a situation with vendors owing money to the Springfield Police Department.

Rooke does not intend to endorse a successor and said. “People are smart enough to decide who they want to represent them. There are plenty of qualified people running and serving.”

He will serve the rest of his term. “You made a promise and you have to keep it,” Rooke said.

Williams, who faced criticism for not resigning from the council last fall when he was elected to the Legislature as a state representative, did not return a call for comment by press time.

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A check with the Board of Elections on July 31 provided an update on who will be on the ballot for City Council. Aug. 1 is the deadline for the return of signatures and the office has until Aug. 15 to certify the signatures. Aug. 15 is also the deadline for someone who has submitted signatures to remove themselves from the ballot.

For councilor at large those candidates who have been certified include: Kateri Walsh, Victor Davila, Marilyn Felix, Jesse Lederman, Kelli Moriarty Finn, Timothy Ryan, and Tracye Whitfield.

For ward seats, the candidates so far include: Ward Two, Michael Fenton Kency Gilet; Ward Three, Melvin Edwards, Mathias Galvin; Ward Four, E. Henry Twiggs, Lorenzo Gaines, Candejah Pink; Ward 6, Kenneth Shea; Ward 7, Timothy Allen.

If needed a primary election will be conducted on Sept. 19.