Ludington Fourth Ward Councilor Wanda Marrison to Resign Effective August 31

[XLFD]

Cites Family Circumstances Requiring Too Much Time to Fulfill Councilor Duties

From the City of Ludington Daily News:  Fourth Ward City Councilor Wanda Marrison (being sworn in for her second term below) announced her resignation from the Ludington City Council effective August 31, 2014.

                                                                                

She stated in a letter to Mayor Ryan Cox and city councilors that "Unfortunately, family circumstances at this time require my full attention, and I have important issues to take care of, which leaves me no time to fulfill my duties that have been entrusted to me by the 4th Ward voters of Ludington."

                                                        

"I am very sorry to have caused any inconvenience, but please know this was not an easy decision," she wrote. "If necessary, I can be available for phone and email inquires from my home on a limited basis.

"Thank you so much for your understanding in this matter. I have loved working for the City of Ludington and the people of the 4th Ward. When circumstances change, I would look forward to working with you again in the future should the opportunity present itself."

The city will be seeking letters of interest from qualified and registered electors of the city's Fourth Ward who are not in default to the city, according to City Manager John Shay. The city council will then schedule a special meeting to interview the candidates. The council would then vote to select one of the candidates at its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, Sept. 22.

According to Shay, pursuant to Section 5.2 of the City Charter, "Any vacancy of an elective office, except the mayor, shall be filled within thirty (30) days by appointment by majority vote of the council with the mayor voting in case of a tie. No vacancy need be filled if it occurs within sixty (60) days preceding a city election. Elective officers so appointed shall serve until the next regular election, at which time an election shall be held to fill the remaining period of the term of office."

This means that a resident of the Fourth Ward who is appointed within 30 days of Wanda Marrison's resignation would serve until the next regular City election in November 2016, Shay stated. If that person wins the election, he/she would serve until the November 2018 city election to fill out the remainder of Marrison's term. If he/she won that election, he/she would serve a 4-year term from that point.

I would like to wish Wanda Marrison good luck with her future endeavors, which include providing for her family, her dogs, and her community.   Even though we have had points of disagreement, I feel that she was the best friend of the common folks on the city council.  Unfortunately, who gets her seat on the council will be decided by the votes of six people who aren't even in her ward (the rest of the city council) and they will undoubtedly choose someone allegiant to the City of Ludington, not the citizens of Ludington, if they have the choice. 

[Willy]

Wanda may have been the "best friend of the common folks" but she still turned her back in the Constitution and was only to eager to go along with the negative policies of the Council. Ludington needs Councilors who will uphold the Constitution and laws and who will challenge the entrenched good ol boy system that now exists. Having said that, I wish her good luck in the future.

[XLFD]

I agree, the compliment was akin to calling her the mildest of the seven deadly sins. 

If more than one person applies for this position, and this gets down to the decision level, do you think the Councilors will pick one that has an agenda to put the council back on the right track or swears to uphold the Constitution and city charter? Fat chance, they're looking for either a 'yes man' or someone who's part of the problem already.

[AQUAMAN]

Stunning and shocking news. I had hoped Wanda would bring a fresh breath of air to the CC, and at times, she did just that. The fact that she voted against her own judgment and the best interests of the locals all too many times, was reflected in her statement that "she didn't want to be an outcast, might as well be a part of the majority". Voting that way only sends an old message of fear and lack of determination. I also wish Wanda good luck in her family and private endeavors. Can't wait to see the next Crony they pick for the ward seat now.