Longtime Oakwood City Councilman Gary Anderson said Wednesday he doesn't plan to seek another four-year term.

"It's time for some new blood in Oakwood. It's time for some new ideas," said Anderson, 59, who has lived in the South Hall city for 50 years.

"I'm getting up in age too, so I've got other priorities now — grandchildren, my wife and things like that."

He said he also might have a job opportunity in another state next year and "I couldn't serve anyway."

Qualifying ended Wednesday in Oakwood without Anderson turning in the needed paperwork, like he has done several times before.

The general election is Nov. 8 and Anderson's last day on the council is Dec. 31.

When he leaves, he will have served 14 years, a mixture of four- and two-year terms and serving the unexpired term of a previous council member.

"I'm a firm believer in term limits," he said. "I think they ought to be placed on everything. I guess, in essence, what I'm doing is term-limiting myself.

"It's just time for (council members) with more stamina or more get-up-and-go than some of us old guys."

Anderson said he wished the city well.

"I know they're going to do great," he said.

With a chuckle, Anderson added, "Without me on there, they may be better."

Anderson, who is retired after 36 years in banking and finance, was an outspoken member of the council.

In a May council discussion over city police cars, he didn't mince words on what he felt about their appearance.

Calling them an "embarrassment," he added that they look "like they come off the back of a used car lot somewhere. They're falling apart and making all kinds of crazy sounds," he said.

In July 2010, he decried the legislature's just-approved Transportation Investment Act of 2010, which calls for a proposed 1 percent sales tax for transportation.

"This is a just a new way to fund the (Georgia Department of Transportation) and put the responsibility on the local elected officials," Anderson said.

Looking back on his time in office, he said he believes the city has "accomplished most of the goals we've set."

"At the same time, there have been frustrations," Anderson said. "Right now, most governments have a lack of funding. Oakwood, fortunately, has a balanced budget and has a little money in the bank."