After serving as Winkler's Mayor for 16 years, Martin Harder's name will be noticeably absent from the ballot when voters head to the polls in October's municipal elections. Harder announced Thursday, during his annual State of the City Address at the virtual Winkler and District Chamber of Commerce annual meeting, he will not seek another term in the position, noting the decision simply came down to his time served.

"Sometimes it's also on the timing," added Harder. "You don't want to wait until people don't appreciate you, and want you to leave. It's much more encouraging to leave when you know you have something to contribute."

He noted the decision wasn't an easy one to make.

"In due respect to our wonderful city, it has been a joy and a pleasure to be of service. I have no regrets. I feel that I have done my best, and I feel I've had the support of a majority of people in Winkler all along, and I have had many encouraging comments made over the course of the last year where it has become a little tougher to be a leader in a difficult time."

The biggest challenge Harder says he's faced during his tenure as Mayor presented itself in the last two years as the pandemic created what he called, a significant divide, within the community, families and churches.

"I made a statement once (that) the impact to our community and relationships will be a tougher fix than the COVID virus...and I wish I would have been wrong," he said. "But when I look at it today, and where the community is today, and thus was my call for prayer in the In the Mayor's Chair program this week. That, to me, is the most critical thing and I think if we can get that healing, our community will continue to do well and prosper in the years ahead."