Diamond Valley Mayor Barry Crane has announced he will not be running for re-election this October.
Crane made the announcement in a Facebook livestream earlier this week, reflecting on his 12 years in municipal politics and expressing gratitude to those who supported him along the way.
He was first elected to Turner Valley town council in 2013 and later acclaimed as mayor in a 2019 by-election.
During that time, Crane helped guide the community through the 2013 flood, oversaw the amalgamation of Turner Valley and Black Diamond into Diamond Valley, and championed major infrastructure projects including a new water treatment plant and a $21-million sewage treatment upgrade.
Crane emphasized that he plans to continue his volunteer work and involvement in community groups.
"I will still be fully active in the community," Crane said in the Facebook livestream. "I will just not be wearing the mayor's hat."
The outgoing mayor also encouraged residents to consider giving back, whether by volunteering or running in the upcoming election.
"Every one of you volunteers make the community happen; you make the lifeblood and the energy of our community. Every one of our events would be dead in the water if it wasn't for volunteers," said Crane. "You make the town and the community what it is. So step up and do something for your community, and don't look at it as a community, just look at it as your immediate family."