Vice Mayor Bert Dodson, currently the longest-serving member on Lynchburg City Council, announced Wednesday he does not plan to seek another term in office.
Full statement from Vice Mayor Bert Dodson Jr.

I want to thank everyone for being here today for my announcement about my future as a member our Lynchburg City Council.

When I was first elected in May of 1998, I was extremely humbled by the duties and responsibilities that the good citizens of Lynchburg had voted for me to assume. Our city has progressed tremendously in many different areas over the last 11 years and there is great potential for future advancements to ensure that Lynchburg is the best place to live in Virginia.

Personally, I have seen our city grow and prosper. Our population has increased and our quality of life has blossomed. Even though we are in extremely challenging economic times at the present, our beautiful city will be in the position to rebound when the national and state economy finally becomes better. Our city has been through some tough times, but our citizens are resolute and determined that the tide will change. I have no doubt that Lynchburg, Virginia, will be in the forefront of the economic recovery with job expansion and a more prosperous business environment.

In relation to these challenging times, our family-owned pest management business has future opportunities that will enable our company to expand even further. Since 1944, our company has grown to one of the largest, family-owned, non-franchised firms in the entire country, according to our industry trade magazines. We presently have operations in five states with 34 offices and almost 600 team members.

In the next several years, a significant consolidation is forecasted in the pest management field and Dodson Bros. has the potential to expand even further in both our present areas of operation and additional states. However, our company cannot take advantage of these opportunities if I continue to fulfill the duties as a council member of our city.

Therefore, I have decided after a great deal of thought and reflection to announce today that I will not seek a fourth term from the citizens of our city. I have truly enjoyed my years of public service, yet I must fully dedicate myself to our family business, where I have spent the last 33 years.

In conclusion, I will continue to serve the citizens of our great city until my term ends on June 30, and I look forward to contributing in any way possible to the progress of our part of Central Virginia. Again, thank you for being here.

Bert Dodson steht für Konsequenz, für geradliniges und kompromissloses Handeln. Er ist ein Vollblut- Unternehmer. Deshalb ist er in der Lage, Prioritäten zu setzen. In einer schwierigen wirtschaftlichen Situation tut er das einzig Vernünftige: er kümmert sich um sein Unternehmen. Er sichert und schafft Arbeitsplätze.
Wer will ihm das verdenken?
Bert Dodson hat Akzente gesetzt für die Konsolidierung der Städtepartnerschaft zwischen Glauchau und Lynchburg, VA.
Mit seiner Entscheidung geht er uns nicht verloren.
Während seines Besuches in Glauchau führten wir ausgiebige Diskussionen. Dabei ging es um Politik und Wirtschaft, um brennende Fragen unserer Zeit. Es ging aber eben auch um die menschlichen Beziehungen, um die Pflege von Freundschaften und Verbindungen über Ländergrenzen hinweg.
Joan F. Foster (die Bürgermeisterin von Lynchburg) bringt es auf den Punkt:

“The first thing I thought was the city is losing someone who’s been a great warrior for the city and its people,” said Mayor Joan Foster. “He’s done an outstanding job … Our city is a better place to live because of him.”