Central City Village President Ken Buchanan handed in his letter of resignation at a special meeting of the Central City Village Board Wednesday night. He was replaced by long-time board member Gary Hall.
In a statement, Buchanan said it was with great regret that he had made the decision and it has been a privilege to serve the community for a total of 16 years as President.
However, Buchanan added the last couple of months he has heard comments that this board has become dysfunctional, and to an extent, he agrees. He says many comments made, actions taken, or not taken, were not in the best interest of the village no matter what one believes.
“I think it just builds up through the years. You get tired. It gets old. It seems like it starts going in circles what you went through a couple of years before they want to try again and you know it doesn’t work. It’s to the point you’re burned out and it’s time to go.”
Buchannan says the village does have money problems that need to be addressed, but he hopes a full-time police opening will still be filled. He notes even with a $5 an hour raise, they have not been able to find candidates resulting in other department members having to work overtime. In the letter, Buchannan wished the board good luck. He also thanked village employees for their dedication and hard work.
New Mayor Gary Hall says he didn’t want the position at first but thought it was best an experienced person be at the helm during the tough financial times.
“Funding is down. We are going to have to make some changes for the upcoming year. It boils down to that. We simply don’t have the income. I don’t like it. I’d love to be able to pay employees more money, not just a little. But if you don’t have it, you don’t have it.”
Hall says they will be working on a budget and appropriation ordinance to take effect with their new fiscal year on April first. Hall has been a board member for about 25 years.
The board appointed another current board member Shane Swartzlander as Public Works Director. He says his goal will be to continue to upgrade the city and make it a better place to live.
Board member Rose Ann Pickett was named Mayor Pro Tem.
With Hall’s appointment as mayor and Swartzlander as public works director, there are now two openings on the village board that will need to be filled in the next few months.
Central City’s new Mayor Gary Hall swears in Village Board member Rose Ann Pickett as Mayor Pro-Tem.
