Dawson Creek Mayor Darcy Dober says he will not seek re-election this fall, bringing an end to six years in municipal politics.
Dober announced his decision ahead of the October municipal election, saying it was not an easy choice.
“I’ve come to the realization that I’m not going to put my name forward in the upcoming election,” Dober said.
Dober says putting his family first was the main reason behind the decision.
His focus will now turn to his four children and, soon, his first grandchild.
“It’s very hard for me, but at the end of the day, family to me is the number one thing in life,” he said.
Dober’s political journey began in 2020 when he was elected to city council.
Two years later, he was elected mayor and helped the community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dober says he didn’t come into the role with a set plan, but with a determination to make a difference and learn along the way.
“I just wanted to move our community forward in a positive way,” Dober said.
Looking back on his time in office, Dober points to what he sees as several accomplishments, including a stronger financial position for the city, attracting more doctors to the community, and declining crime numbers.
Dober also praises the relationships he and council were able to build with local organizations during his time as mayor, including the Dawson Creek RCMP detachment.
He says those partnerships played an important role in addressing many of the challenges the city has faced.
Others say his greatest contribution was his approach to leadership, pointing to his ability to empower people and ensure they are heard.
“His sincerity comes through very clearly, not just in words, but in action,” Councillor Charlie Parslow said. “He’s mayor for the right reasons, which is to listen to people and to try to build a community that has a strong cohesion.”
Parslow was also impressed with Dober’s ability to unite the city’s team, describing a positive dynamic between administration and council.
“Everybody knows that if they share their feelings, that it will be respected and listened to,” he said. “There’s no game being played.”
Born and raised in Dawson Creek, Dober says serving as mayor has been one of the greatest honours of his life.
“The hardest part for me out of all of this is that I am so honored and humbled to be the mayor of this city,” he said. I’m so grateful that the community believed in me to put me in this role."
With Dober stepping aside, residents will elect a new mayor in the municipal election on October 17.
Despite leaving office, Dober says he has no plans to leave the community behind, adding he hopes to stay involved in other ways and continue helping where he can.