Chairman Dale Lambert announced Wednesday he will not seek re-election in November. Lambert said in a statement his decision was based on personal and professional reasons. The lawyer and father of three also noted he didn't plan to seek a second term when he ran in 2001 to represent Sugar House. But Lambert is stepping out of the race reluctantly because he is concerned about who will represent District 7. He said a number of people he talked to aren't able or willing. "This is an election about the future of Salt Lake City and Sugar House, both of which face challenges and great opportunities in the next few years. We need sound judgment, objectivity, civility, open-mindedness, and a desire to improve our great city," he said. He also noted what he thinks the election shouldn't be about - political parties (city races are nonpartisan), religious affiliation (six of the seven council members are Mormon and Mayor Rocky Anderson questioned their impartiality on past decisions that affected the church), or the relationship with the mayor (the council is often at odds with Anderson, whose term ends in 2007). Lambert helped create a new open-space fund and a citizen committee to oversee it. And he regularly questioned public subsidies of projects like the proposed Living Planet Aquarium and Major League Soccer stadium. Four council seats are up for re-election this year. The other three incumbents - Carlton Christensen, Eric Jergensen and Jill Remington Love - have decided to run again. Candidates must declare intentions by Aug. 15. - Heather May