Hollidaysburg Mayor Joseph Dodson (left) is presented with the Association of Mayors of the Boroughs of Pennsylvania Mayor of the Year award by Pennsylvania Association of Boroughs First Vice President Randy Riddle. Courtesy photo

After several decades of public service in local office, Hollidaysburg Mayor Joseph Dodson was recognized as Mayor of the Year by the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs.

Dodson was presented the award on June 3 in Hershey at the group’s annual conference.

He is the first Hollidaysburg mayor to receive this award since the town’s creation.

“I was excited, humbled, happy and shocked, to tell you the truth,” Dodson said. “I never dreamt of being named the mayor of the year. I just wanted to make a difference.”

Ethan Imhoff, Hollidaysburg Borough manager, nominated Dodson for the award.

“Reviewing the qualifications for the award, I thought Mayor Dodson was a really good fit for the award,” Imhoff said. “Especially for his length of service, considering the fact he served four terms as mayor.”

Dodson and his family moved to Hollidaysburg in 1964 after he served in the military. He was stationed in Germany for 16 months, then served in the reserves four years later.

“My relatives gave their lives for our country, and it was my desire to give back,” Dodson said. “The military taught me to always look out for the guy next to you.”

After serving in the military, Dodson believed it was “time for a change,” so he shifted to a career in local politics, starting as a member of the Hollidaysburg Borough council. Later, he was elected as the Hollidaysburg mayor four times, and he will be finishing his final term in January 2026.

“Happy people gave me a lot of satisfaction,” Dodson said. “When I was able to really help someone, it made me feel good, and it made me want to do better. If I could not help someone, I tried to steer them in the right direction.”

During his time as mayor, Dodson raised money for multiple local organizations and institutions, such as the Legion Memorial Park and the Hollidaysburg Area Public Library. As a board member of the local American Legion Post 516, Dodson oversaw over $4 million in renovations at Legion Park.

“Mayor Dodson is very prolific at fundraising,” Imhoff said. “He built personal connections with organizations and people. He is very effective in helping residents.”

Dodson also created the Hollidaysburg Citizen of the Year Award, which honors an outstanding individual and their profound work in the community.

“By creating this award, he wants to recognize other people who make contributions to the borough,” said Diana Smith, secretary and treasurer of the Association of Mayors of the Boroughs of Pennsylvania. “He is a really good advocate for the people.”

“I think Mayor Dodson is a great example of creating long-lasting relationships with people,” Imhoff said. “The mayor has long relationships with people, which is a quality that has helped him become a successful leader in our community.”

After finishing his final term, Dodson plans on taking care of his wife, Lucie, after she undergoes hip surgery. In October, they will be married 70 years.

“I am leaving happy because I know I did a good job,” Dodson said. “No one likes to lose, but God works in mysterious ways.”