That is kinda the point of being an open source project, though, isn't it? The lead dev says, "It's going to be way too difficult for me to convert this codebase to Python 3, I don't want to do it." A group of volunteers then decide to undertake the effort themselves because they wish to ensure the project's continued viability for the future. AFAIK, he hasn't nixed the idea completely if others are handling the legwork.