Knobloch will not seek fourth City Council term

Longtime Bainbridge City Councilman Bill Knobloch announced on Thursday he will not seek a fourth term.

Knobloch said in a statement that his decision was based on a desire to spend more time with family.

“My reasons have everything to do with needing more time with my wife and family, including five children and fifteen grandchildren who have been very patient as I served our island for the last ten years,” he said.
Knobloch has represented the Central Ward, which includes Winslow, since 2002.

He is the longest serving of the current seven-member council.

No one has announced a bid for his council seat.

At-Large Councilman Barry Peters said he is undecided as to whether he will attempt to retain his current position or pursue Knobloch’s seat.

Property developer John Green said he might run in the Central Ward if Knobloch bowed out or run against Peters for the At-Large position.

Knobloch headed several U.S. Navy operations departments and commanded an aircraft carrier pilot squadron. He worked as a commercial airline pilot after retiring from the Navy.

Characterizing himself as a “fiscal conservative,” Knobloch has been an outspoken critic of the Winslow Way reconstruction project and other costly spending initiatives.

Knobloch said he hopes his announcement will encourage others to run for the four council positions up for election this year. The terms of Peters, Kim Brackett (South Ward) and Hilary Franz (North Ward) expire at the end of the year. Brackett and Franz have not said whether or not they will seek second terms.

“It is critical that we have candidates who will make themselves available to gain an understanding of good government for our future,” Knobloch said.