After eight years as a councillor for the Rural Municipality of Hanover, Dylan Barkman has announced he will not seek re-election this fall. Barkman is Ward Four Councillor which represents the Friedensfeld, Sarto and Pansy area.

In an exclusive interview with Steinbachonline.com, Barkman says he first started campaigning to be a councillor back in 2010 because he had a passion for people.

"I wanted to get involved in the community," he recalls. "I wanted to meet people in the community that I didn't already know and make connections like that and be involved."

He says there was quite a learning curve that first year or two and adds he got anxious every time his phone would ring back then.

"And eventually you get past that and it becomes a little bit more enjoyable," he admits. "Yet it's amazing, new things keep coming up and I don't know if you ever get super comfortable."

Eight years later, Barkman says he now knows the role of a councillor is both rewarding and challenging. But, for the most part, he says he has loved the opportunity.

"It's given me a glimpse into the political world a little bit and I've had a chance to see how people work and operate and that has been really good," he says. "I actually have had a chance to learn some leadership lessons and learn a little bit more about how people think and operate."

Not wanting to focus on any particular achievements, Barkman says what has given him satisfaction from his time on council is working with a unified group of councillors and reeve. And, he says this unity trickles down throughout the entire municipality.

"You see it in recreation, the rec groups from different communities are starting to work together and collaborate to some degree. You are seeing it in how our fire halls work together," says Barkman. "You see it in our public works department."

Barkman says it used to be that the six wards in Hanover were more like separate empires. Today, it is more of a global approach, with each ward headed in a united direction.

According to Barkman, being a councillor can be time-consuming. He says some weeks feel overwhelming, while other weeks are quiet. Barkman says he thinks it is important that the next Ward Four Councillor has a passion and love for people and is willing to stick out his or her neck.

"To have both of those at the same time is a bit of a trick," he says. "I don't know that I did that well but that would be something that I aspired to do and I would challenge the next councillor to do the same."

So what is next for the Pastor, farmer and family man?

"My passion is still for people," says Barkman. "I have a passion actually to tell the world about Jesus and to build up individuals and families and people in this community."

He thanks the rest of council for being fantastic to work with for eight years. Though they don't always see eye to eye, Barkman says they work together in a direction that is really good. He thanks the staff and the residents across the municipality.

"It's a really good opportunity and whoever does become the next councillor of Ward Four I would be happy to work with them for a day or two or a couple of conversations to try to make it a seamless transition," offers Barkman.