WILLMAR -- Willmar City Council member Jim Dokken has resigned his Fourth Ward council seat. Dokken submitted a brief letter of resignation to Interim City Administrator Kevin Halliday at about 4 p.m. Wednesday.
Dokken had served on the council since 1998 and was most recently re-elected in the Nov. 6, 2012, general election. His current term expires in January 2017. Dokken retired after a military career in the U.S. Air Force and a private business career in Willmar.
In his letter, Dokken said he has been honored to serve the citizens of the Fourth Ward and the City of Willmar for many years.
“It has been a pleasure working with all of you and I know you have the best interests of the people of Willmar at heart. Despite my desire to accompany you in future endeavors, my body has told me it is time to stop. The good Lord has granted me almost 80 years’ life and my family now needs me for those years I have left,’’ he wrote.
“I respectfully resign my position with the Willmar City Council and ask the city administrator to instruct me how I may do so in a manner where I resign in good standing,’’ he wrote.
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Mayor Marv Calvin said today that Dokken requested that his letter be sent out and that he resigned for personal reasons so he could spend more time with his family.
Halliday said today he will be defining the process and options for the council to fill the position.
