After serving three terms as a city councilman spanning 12 years, serving as mayor pro tem for the past four years and initially announcing he would seek re-election, Will Britt is moving on.

Britt said he won't seek another term as a Statesboro city councilman and mayor pro tem when qualifying opens Monday. Councilman Gary Lewis also said he would not run again.

"After giving this a lot of thought and prayer and watching how fast my daughter, London, is growing, I think it is time to step aside and allow others the opportunity to serve this great city," Britt said. "I want to focus on my daughter, my wife, my family and my businesses. Being a city councilman requires a tremendous amount of time and energy. I have looked back on where we have come as a city and am very proud of the small role I have played to get us where we are today."

Lewis, 65, is the council's longest-serving current member, and his District 2 seat is one of three up for election. The others are District 3, held by Britt, and District 5, held by Councilman Travis Chance, who said he would seek another term. Candidates must qualify and pay fees beginning Monday and ending Friday for the Nov. 3 city election.

Councilman Britt first ran for public office in 2003, when he felt his business was being targeted by the city administration. The students were fed up, and they wanted a voice, he said. Britt believes he became that voice and has remained a champion for the students since being elected.

Throughout his career on council, city leaders have operated under increased scrutiny and have struggled to find a balance that allows them to be as productive as many think they can be. Britt will be the first to admit that he has made mistakes, but in the end, he said, he is proud of where Statesboro is as a city.

I sat down with Britt to reflect on this surprising decision and to look back at his time on council.

DeWayne Grice: Why now?

Will Britt: First, I want to say it has been a tremendous honor to represent the citizens of District 3 as their city councilman. We have an amazing staff of dedicated public servants who give their heart to make this city a wonderful place to call home. However, they are constantly stressed and work in fear of what the future holds for them.

Being the champion of the voiceless is very tiring. Protecting our students, their rights and giving them a voice is a bold thing to do day in and day out. Their voice, their existence is vital to our cities' success. It is a voice, however, that many people do not agree with. Many in the community simply want the students to come, spend lots of money and leave. They don't feel they deserve equal treatment or even have a seat at the table.

This, coupled with the constant roadblocks we face, simply have removed the joy from giving the amount of time and focus to this job that it deserves.

DG: What will you miss the most?

WB: I really enjoy helping people. From an early age, I spent time with my mother while she worked with the Guidos and seeing how they focused so intently on making others' lives better. That, coupled with my Boy Scout training, eventually obtaining my Eagle Scout, gave me the desire to do more while leading others in a way that would benefit all of our city, not just a small, powerful few.

I will miss working with the city manager and having the ability to update and impact policy that addresses the needs of all of our citizens. I will miss working with the staff and providing them with the support to implement their ideas and see them through.

I will miss the budget reviews, GMA meetings and the opportunities they provide in teaching us how to govern and see how other cities work through similar issues. I will miss working through complex issues that create pathways for our local businesses to thrive. I'll miss hearing a college student or citizen express an opinion, then be able to help them see it through.

DG: What projects are you most proud of?

WB: I have a deep desire to see our city embrace more sustainable and conservation opportunities, from recycling to reclaimed water efforts, low-flow water faucet installations, paperless billing and the restarting and fully funding of Keep Bulloch Beautiful.

We have also made great strides in helping our employees develop healthier lifestyles. From the establishment of an aggressive preventive health program to contests and incentives to help them live healthier, our employees now have many more opportunities and assistance in reclaiming and maintaining their health.

Our investments in downtown, seeing the Averitt Center and the Emma Kelly brought back to life and experiencing how this investment has created a resurgence for downtown. The city campus and FAB Lab are great examples of our incredible partnership and working relationship with GSU.

The rebuilding of Savannah Avenue, the lighting of the Simmons subdivision, the future construction of a third fire station and having a positive and productive relationship with the county.

The construction of the Willie McTell Trail, which gives connectivity with the university and downtown, and the construction of the sidewalks on Gentilly, which connect the campus with the S&S Railroad trail. Supporting the creation of a downtown farmers market and starting the Christmas 5K. There are so many more, but these are a few that I really felt I had an impact.

DG: What is next for Will Britt? Does this end your political career?

WB: Absolutely not. Quite the opposite. Stepping away from council will provide me the opportunity to focus on other areas that I can make an impact.

As far as politics go, I would predict you will see me again. I look forward to stepping away and viewing my contributions and see where there are opportunities and areas I would like to re-engage.

DeWayne Grice is business editor for the Statesboro Herald. He may be reached at dgrice@statesboroherald.com.