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After a little more than a decade of service on the Sierra Vista City Council, Mayor Pro Tem Carol Dockter announced Thursday that she will not seek re-election this year.

“This evening, I want to end the speculation of my candidacy for council,” Dockter said, during Thursdays’ council meeting. “Thank you, voters, for having enough faith in my ability to serve the city for three terms.”

At the end of her term, Dockter will have spent about 14 years working in city government, dating back to a term on the Arts and Humanities Commission. Her ties to Sierra Vista go back much further as she moved here with her family in 1979.

The city has evolved immensely in that time.

“Fort Huachuca was the main employer and many who were employed on the fort found Tucson a more desirable place to live,” Dockter said, recalling her early days in Sierra Vista. “Over the years, and not by accident, the quality of life here has improved enough to be attracting people and businesses. This took a community and a city government with vision to bring this about.”

The city has amenities that attract both retirees and young families to live here, she said. “We have become enriched as a community and continuing with a city government that is proactive, creative, fiscally responsible, and responsive to our citizens, we will continue to be a vibrant community.”

She has witnessed the city become more efficient in its decision making with the voter approved long-term plan, Vista 2020, and the adoption of a biennial strategic plan, which represents a collaboration of council and staff, Dockter said. “Together we set a pathway to achieve a vision for Sierra Vista. These two living documents have been invaluable in keeping us all on the same page.”

She is looking forward to a very interesting final year on the council as it works through the budget, develops a new airport master plan and updates to the city’s long-term plan Vista 2020 to reach 2030, Dockter said. “I look forward to the challenges and will continue to work with council in finding ways to best serve Sierra Vista.”

She credited the city’s management team with consistently ironing out the details of proposals with the city commissions and city council and addressing any concerns or issues before they come up for a final vote.

“That is truly good staff work and I commend them for the high standards they have set,” Dockter said. “Having said that, Jim Herrewig has been the epitome of the staff work that I just described.”

James E. Herrewig Day

Today, after more than 35 years with the city, is the last day of Community Development Director Jim Herrewig’s career.

Planning Administrator Don Brush will replace Herrewig as acting director on Monday.

City staff gathered to honor Herrewig’s retirement on Thursday and Mayor Rick Mueller later proclaimed Jan. 26 to be “James E. Herrewig Day.” It was a day filled with gestures that struggled to match the character of a man who has had a tremendous impact on Sierra Vista but has never sought attention for it.

Many staff members and city council members lauded Herrewig for his dedication and hard work that extends beyond the city government. In 1990, Herrewig received the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Award at the White House for founding the Friends of the San Pedro River.

Herrewig thanked the council, staff and community members, past and present. Most importantly, he thanked his wife of nearly 40 years, Patricia Herrewig, who he said has been with him every step of the way.

Herrewig received a standing ovation as he shook his colleagues’ hands before taking a seat.
City Manager Chuck Potucek thanked Herrewig for all the service he has provided the community.

“We will greatly miss him here at city hall, he’s truly one of the finest people I have ever met,” he said.
See Sunday’s edition of the Herald/Review for a profile on Herrewig and his years in Sierra Vista.