WILLIAMSBURG— Williamsburg Mayor Douglas Pons announced during the May 11 City Council work session that he will not seek reelection when his term ends on Dec. 31.
Pons has served for 16 years on City Council and 29 years on local boards and commissions.
“I still have some good health and want to be able to enjoy life, rediscover my family in ways I haven’t been able to do whether I was building a business or in the mix of raising children,” Pons said after the meeting.
“I want to see what the next step might be for me.”
Pons added that if anyone wanted to run for his position, now is their time. The deadline to file for city council is June 16.
“We’ll have many opportunities between now and the end of December, but since you brought this forward, we have been a better council and a city because of you,” said Williamsburg City Council member Barbara Ramsey at the meeting.
Pons said he would like to continue to serve the community, just not on city council.
“I think service to the community is an admirable desire. As a former JayceePons says he won’t seek another term as mayor, the creed of the Jaycee is that service to humanity is the best work of life and it absolutely is,” he said.
Pons said anyone considering a run for City Council should understand the time commitment and the range of issues involved — from potholes and crime to budgets and economic development. He added that the ability to work cooperatively with fellow council members and city staff is essential.
“Serving on city council is not about you, it’s about the community,” Pons said.
