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Tuesday, October 16, 2007 11:15 PM CDT
Mattoon mayor leaving for personal reasons related to health
By HERB MEEKER, Staff Writer
hmeeker@jg-tc.com
MATTOON — “Due to personal reasons, I find it necessary to resign as mayor. . .”
With those words, Charlie White effectively ended a career in city service that started in 1966 when he became Mattoon city clerk and later served as city treasurer and in other positions over the years.
White’s letter of resignation as city mayor was read by Mattoon Mayor Pro Tem Dave Cline during Tuesday’s Mattoon City Council meeting. White’s resignation takes effect officially at 8 a.m. Monday.
White, 74, was elected mayor in April 2005. His recent medical problems forced him to end his term 18 months before the next city election. He had faced trips to the hospital and been absent from his office in recent weeks.
At 8 a.m. Monday, the council will select one of the current commissioners to complete White’s term as mayor, based on information shared at the end of Tuesday’s meeting. Later, a new commissioner will be selected to fill that vacancy with no midterm election necessary, said City Attorney Preston Owen.
On Tuesday night, the council members present in city hall expressed praise for White.
“I’m deeply saddened for the need for Mayor White to step down. It was a hard decision on his part,” said Cline, who has served as mayor pro tem with White’s absence in recent weeks. “He’s been a fine mayor for the citizens of this city.”
“I really appreciate the service Charlie White has offered the city,”said Commissioner David Schilling. “The city moved forward in a very positive manner. A lot of progress has been made.”
“Mayor White is a person of the highest character and integrity,” said Commissioner Randy Ervin. “Each decision he made was based on the best interests of the citizens.”
White previously expressed his intentions to complete his term. But he emphasized he had no intention to run for a second term.
Many times, the retired banker talked about how the mayoral job was the toughest he ever faced. He once said he could count the number of times he received a thank you from residents on one hand.
Still, White showed an energetic dedication to the job, colleagues noted. He liked to keep regular office hours in city hall, insisting that Mattoon residents wanted to take their questions and complaints to someone in person.
He used his banking experience in Mattoon to expedite city business, especially during council meetings. White reminded residents they could comment or ask questions on any subject, but they only had three minutes to get their point across.
He was also known for being “in the loop” on many subjects and issues in the city. And he once said he insisted on getting results for citizens, not excuses.
Contact Herb Meeker at hmeeker@jg-tc.com or 238-6869.
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Chris 2.0 wrote on Oct 17, 2007 5:50 AM: