Although a city council workshop and meeting were canceled on Tuesday evening due to the lack of a quorum, Mayor Mark Spradlin informed the public of a resignation of a city councilwoman.
Spradlin received a resignation letter from Ward II councilman Mary Coffin informing the city about her decision to resign her post effectively immediately.
“I have always been a firm believer in upholding my duties. My constituents have trusted me to fill the ward two city council position for the City of Guthrie, but my first duty is to my family. My family has been requiring more and more of my attention and I want to be there for them,” Coffin said in the statement read out loud by Spradlin.
“Because of the amount of time it takes for me to effectively research and to be knowledgeable of the weekly packets and workshops that has been difficult. The responsibility, time and devotion it takes to sit on city council has brought me to the difficult decision that I must resign my duties as city councilman of ward two.”
In closing, Coffin said, “It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve the City of Guthrie.”
Coffin was elected to two terms on the council. The current term is set to expire in May 2015.
Search for a one-year replacement
Spradlin and the city council will now search for Coffin’s replacement to finish the term.
To be eligible for office of Councilmen for the City of Guthrie, a person must be a citizen of the United States of America, and of the State of Oklahoma, be at least twenty-one (21) years of age, be a registered voter, be a resident of the ward if the office is from a ward, and be a resident of an area which has been annexed to and has become part of the City for two years immediately preceding the General election.
A Guthrie charter states that “If a vacancy occurs in the office of councilman, the city council shall select, by an affirmative vote of at least four members, and eligible person to fill the vacancy at the next regular meeting of the city council following the creation of the vacancy or as soon thereafter as is practical.”
Recent history of council members to resign
With the latest announcement from Coffin, the city council has now seen three resignations in less than three years. Ellen Gomes resigned her Ward III post in Sept. 2011 and was replaced by Sheri Mueller, who later resigned the post in March 2013.
Currently Councilman Sharyl Padgett (selected by council) holds the Ward III post which is set to expire in May 2015.
Be the first to comment on "Council member resigns post"