The President of Association of Manitoba Municipalities has resigned. That is because Doug Dobrowolski is now seeking the nomination to represent the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba in the Dawson Trail riding.

"This is something I've been wanting to do for a long time is to enter provincial politics," announced Dobrowolski in Lorette Monday morning. "I feel that this is an opportunity for me at this point in my life to enter the political realm."

Dobrowolski is a business owner and Councillor for the RM of Macdonald with more than twenty years of municipal experience. Dobrowolski says he chose to run in Dawson Trail because of its similarity to his home constituency of Morris.

"It's a mixture of residential, commercial and agricultural, same as our riding," notes Dobrowolski. "Both municipalities are in the capital region, we have a lot of similarities and actually part of this constituency is my ward as a Councillor."

Dobrowolski has served with AMM for eighteen years, the last seven as President. He calls Monday's announcement bittersweet. As President, he participated in negotiations with the federal government on infrastructure programs including the New Building Canada Fund and the Gas Tax Fund. He says another highlight was seeing AMM unite the urban and rural associations.

"Back when it was an urban and rural association the government kept playing us off with one another," recalls Dobrowolski. "As one association we speak with one voice, a very forceful voice and we're able to get the job done."

Dobrowolski says he will be campaigning on fairness.

"I want to make sure that this area is treated fairly," he says. "I want to ensure that all residents are listened to and that's the key thing is to listen and that's what I'm going to be doing on the road here the next few weeks is to listen to residents and what their concerns are."

Dobrowolski says as President of AMM, he knows the elected officials in the various municipalities and has a very good grasp on what the issues are surrounding municipalities. He adds constituents in Dawson Trail are telling him it's time for change. The next provincial election is in April, 2016.

Meanwhile, AMM has announced Steinbach Mayor and AMM Vice President Chris Goertzen is the new President.