Two St. Joseph Village Board members have resigned.
Jim Wagner and Dan Davis submitted letters of resignation, effective immediately, on Tuesday afternoon.
Wagner, who was in his second four-year term, said he was resigning due to family obligations.
“With my kids being in sports and being involved with their school activities are a very big part of our decision-making process as a family,” he said. “I have at times missed functions due to my commitment to the Village board meetings. It wouldn’t be fair to my kids, wife, and myself not to step off.”
Wagner said his business, Wagner Signs and Graphics, was also a consideration.
“We are thankful that with our community support and our growth, this requires more time and focus, not only for my family, but our local staff as well,” he said.
Wagner also said he had a health situation early this summer that made him reevaluate how he spent his time.
“I need to make sure to focus more on my health to assure I am here for my family by scaling back my commitments overall, including the Village of Saint Joe Village Trustee position,” he said.
Wagner recommended Steven Peters to fill his position. Peters was recently considered for the open trustee position when Jeff Van Buskirk resigned and was appointed to Planning and Zoning.
“Steven is not only well known in our community, but he is also well qualified and intelligent and would serve our town in the best capacity possible with all decisions based around our community,” Wagner said.
Davis, who was in his second four term, said it was with a heavy heart and a clear mind that he was announcing his departure as a village trustee. Davis said he was sworn in on May 1, 2019 and he worked to hold his public office with integrity, purpose, and determination. He said he was committed to working hard to earn public trust by being accessible, actionable, and accountable.
“However, with recent developments within our village board, its President, the Office of Village Administration, I will no longer be participating as a Trustee due to core and philosophical differences,” he said.
Davis also said his growing extended family, in addition to his health, were reasons he resigned.
“It has been my distinct privilege to serve with honor as your village trustee,” Davis said.
According to state statute, the vacant trustee positions must be filled within 60 days. According to state statute, the mayor makes a recommendation and the corporate authorities must act upon the appointment within 30 days. If the appointment fails to receive the advice and consent of the corporate authorities within 30 days the mayor shall appoint a second qualified person and forward that name to the corporate authorities, who have to act within 30 days.
If the appointment of the second qualified person also fails to receive the advice and consent of the corporate authorities, then the mayor or president or acting mayor or acting president, without the advice and consent of the corporate authorities, may make a temporary appointment from those persons who were appointed but whose appointments failed to receive the advice and consent of the corporate authorities.
The person receiving the temporary appointment shall serve until an appointment has received the advice and consent and the appointee has qualified or until a person has been elected and has qualified, whichever first occurs.
Whoever fills the vacancies will have to run for election in the next municipal election.
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