In between praising his Lansdowne Live plan, Mayor Larry O'Brien took a moment in his speech to the Ottawa Kiwanis Club Friday to state his decision about running for mayor: to wait until June before deciding.

Previously, O'Brien told CTV Ottawa he planned to take the holidays to discuss his political future with his family, and would make an announcement in early January.

Upon further reflection, he says he decided a campaign starting now would be "ridiculously long", especially considering he entered the last municipal election in August 2007 -- and handily won it three months later on the phrase "Zero means zero", a promise he would not raise property taxes.

Taxes are supposed to go up four per cent in 2010 alone.

In relation to that campaign, O'Brien faced charges of offering money to fellow candidate Terry Kilrea in exchange for dropping out of the race. He stood trial last summer and was forced to surrender the mayor's chair while defending himself, but was acquitted in August.

Distraction from transit too worrying: O'Brien

Besides which, O'Brien adds he worries an announcement now would distract from acquiring funding for the light-rail transit plan he brought in under his tenure, which is slated to cost $2 billion for the first phase -- before a shovel has been put in the ground.

"The (recent) announcement by (Ontario) Premier Dalton McGuinty of $600 million brings my transit vision so close to being a reality that I don't want to take any chances that gets pulled into an election campaign," O'Brien said.

Immediately upon taking office in 2007, O'Brien cancelled a $600-million rail line plan that would have seen trains running between downtown and Barrhaven.

Last year, O-train and bus service ceased altogether for two months as O'Brien butted heads with OC Transpo's driver's union, who waged a bitter strike over driver scheduling and wages.

Although the Amalgamated Transit Union won increased wages, they lost the war over scheduling when an arbitrator ruled this week that the city should have control to save money.

In December, the mayor threatened to lock out the ATU if it appeared they would strike again soon.

Cullen quick out of the gate

Should he decide to run again, incumbent O'Brien already has two opponents: Robert Gauthier, who made several failed bids to run for city positions in the past, and Coun. Alex Cullen, who made an announcement at city hall the morning ballots opened on Jan. 4.

Cullen said he would campaign against the Lansdowne Live plan, which he voted against last year.

This proposal for the redevelopment of Lansdowne Park would see the stadium torn down and a new trade centre built, with the help of $150 million in private financing.

Cullen also pledged to only accept individual donations for the campaign.

"(Corporations) are fine organizations in their own right, but they do not elect anybody," he said in an interview earlier this week.

"Their money though, certainly helps shape the city council. I don't think that's a good thing; I think that should be left to voters."

Other contenders consider their options

Bob Chiarelli -- the first mayor of the amalgamated City of Ottawa -- said he is "seriously considering a comeback" even though he lost to O'Brien in the last election.

Also rumoured as candidate is former mayor Jim Watson, MPP for Ottawa-West Nepean.

A provincial cabinet shuffle is said to be in the works, which would affect Watson's decision to move to the municipal level again.

The nomination period runs from Jan. 4 to Sept. 10, and will elect one mayor, 23 city councillors and a so-far undetermined number of school trustees.

With a report from CTV Ottawa's Norman Fetterley