Clear Lake mayor Crabb announces he will not run for another term

CLEAR LAKE — Clear Lake’s longtime mayor says he will not seek another term this November. Nelson Crabb has been the mayor for two decades, winning five consecutive four-year terms since first being elected in November 2005. During that time, Crabb has been an advocate for lake restoration and water quality improvements, a driving force behind the Surf District redevelopment project and the preservation of Main Avenue.

Crabb made his announcement during last night’s meeting of the City Council. “This is in the middle of 20 years, and I will not be seeking re-election this November. I think the word has been out for eons, but this is official.”

Crabb says it’s not easy making the decision to not seek another term.  “It’s not just politicians I’ve worked with, but it’s friends that I’ve worked with, and that includes the community. It’s a great place to be. I don’t think there’s any better guy from this original north Jersey guy that came out here and was going to stay two years and tell my wife we gotta get out of here. Well it was two years, three kids later, 60 years down the road, I haven’t left and won’t.”

Crabb came to Clear Lake in 1966 to teach fifth grade for a couple of years before transitioning to junior high, where he also coached a number of sports. He later became the director of student services at the high school before later becoming the director of secondary education at North Iowa Area Community College.

The Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce last week announced that Crabb will serve as the Grand Marshal for this year’s 4th of July parade.