One-term Rigby mayor stepping down after a decade in city government
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RIGBY – After four years in office, Richard Datwyler is stepping down as Rigby’s mayor.
The 46-year-old man has been involved in city government for the last 10 years and he tells EastIdahoNews.com he’s ready for a change.
“I’m ready for a break for a bit and to have some more time with my family,” Datwyler says. “It’s time to let somebody else have a turn.”
Nicole Weight, a former city council member who runs a preschool in town, is running unopposed for the position. Election Day is Nov. 4.
As Datwyler reflects on the last four years, he says working with and getting to know the city employees is the most rewarding part about serving as mayor. He praises them for their hard work in making “the city run really well.” He said he’s appreciated being in a position to help them succeed.
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He said it’s hard for him to name one specific thing as his greatest accomplishment because “no one (accomplishes anything by themselves).” He did cite the ways in which the city has grown “to adapt to our changing size, economy and needs of the community.”
“The city has grown and progressed, whether it’s the library or the police department, public works or even the city office staff,” Datwyler says.
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Numerous transitions of leadership have taken place under his tenure, including the appointment of Allen Fullmer as the new police chief in 2022. The Rigby Library Board appointed Brittney Field as the new library director last year.
Other appointments include Sam Angel as the city attorney. Keisha Keller was appointed as the new city clerk in March after the retirement of Dave Swager.
Datwyler speaks highly of these individuals in helping the city continue to move forward.
Getting started in city government
Datwyler got his start in city government around 2015 when he was appointed to fill a vacancy on the city council. He was later elected for a four-year term in 2017.
Datwyler’s interest in local politics started years before he ever ran for office. There was an issue he was passionate about and wanted to weigh in at the city council meeting.
“I went and gave my opinion and then I (realized) I can’t really give (a good opinion) until I know what’s really happening,” Datwyler recalls.
Regular attendance at city council meetings eventually led to his appointment.
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Datwyler served with Weight on the city council and has spoken with her at length about her candidacy. He says “she’ll do fine” as the city’s next mayor.
“In our conversations, I said I’d be willing to run again if nobody else was willing to do it. She said she’d be willing to and I was grateful,” says Datwyler.
Weight was eager to jump in the race when she heard no one else was running. Her desire to help the library is what initially motivated her to run for city council. The library is something she remains passionate about.
As mayor, she said she also wants to address police officer retention and provide “a steady police force” for the community.
“It’s something we really need here,” Weight says.
‘I could see it happening again’
Although he’s enjoyed serving as mayor, Datwyler says it takes a lot of time and energy and there’s always a pressing issue on his mind.
“It’ll be nice to not have that as I go to bed each night,” he says.
Datwyler works full-time as a physics professor at Brigham Young University-Idaho and will continue in that role.
He’s proud of his community and is grateful for the “good people” who he says make it a great place to live.
Even though he’s stepping down from politics, Datwyler says he hasn’t ruled out running for office again in the future.
“I could see it happening again,” he says. “I just have a sense of duty and responsibility. You live in a place and try to make it a better place. Everyone should give back to their community in whatever way they can. That sense of civic responsibility is with me.”