Walnut Ridge alderman resigns

Jun 29, 2017 NEA Report Lawrence County 0

WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. – A city council member in Walnut Ridge has resigned, an email from Mayor Charles Snapp said Thursday.

Snapp said in an email Thursday morning to media and other council members that Alderman Allen Smith, Ward 1, Position 2, had resigned his post with the City of Walnut Ridge. Snapp included the letter of resignation for Smith in his email. A reason was not given.

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The mayor said he was out of town this week and not available for comment.

“However, I did reply to Alderman Smith and regretfully accepted his resignation,” Snapp said. “I did not ask him for additional details about the resignation, as he requested. I expect the remaining council members will start the replacement process sometime in July.”

Here is the letter:

“Mayor Snapp, Distinguished City Council Members, Sharon, Nancy, and Christy,

Please accept this email as an official resignation to my current position of Alderman, Ward 1, Position 2 for the City of Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. This resignation will become official Friday June 30, 2017. I ask that you forgive my not providing an official letter?

This is something I have struggled with for a couple of months now, and it is a very difficult decision for me to make. I have enjoyed the past 30 months as alderman. I feel very fortunate to have served that time with some of the finest persons on the past, and present councils, and all of the other persons who help make the city operate efficiently and effectively. I am confident that Walnut Ridge is in very capable hands, and hope that you find a person to replace me who has a passion, and dedication, to this fine city much the same as I have hopefully exhibited.

Please accept my apology for the short notice, and by not confiding with any of you about my decision. There is no one specific reason that I could give, and want to retain my privacy in my reasons. If there is one thing that I would like to request in parting with my position it would be to please use the emergency clause judiciously, and with hesitance to expedite a decision
that could be detrimental to the citizens of this fine city. I think you all know how I feel about this procedure.

Thank you all for being a friend, and compatriot, in our pursuit of wanting to make Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, a great city for its citizens.

With great respect,

Allen Smith”

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