The City of Leitchfield will say goodbye to three of its leaders in the coming months.
Leitchfield Fire Chief and Utilities Commissioner Carl “Moon” Smith, and Leitchfield Public Works Director Darrell Harrell both announced their plans to retire from their respective positions during the regularly scheduled Leitchfield City Council Meeting on Monday, May 6.
Also during the May 6 Meeting, Steven Elder announced his intention to resign from the City Council and return to his hometown of Mayfield, Kentucky.
Mayor William Thomason said, currently, three individuals have submitted their names for consideration to fill Elder’s City Council seat; however, out of respect for Elder and his winning election to the Council, a replacement will not be selected until Elder submits his official letter and date of resignation.
Elder said the remaining members of the City Council will select his replacement, and they may choose anyone they wish, so long as the individual is over 18 and is a Leitchfield resident.
Elder said the Mayor may choose to give a recommendation for Elder’s replacement, but the Council is not bound to select the Mayor’s recommendation.
As of press time, Elder has not set a date for his resignation.
On behalf of Smith - who was absent from the Meeting - City Council Member and First Assistant Fire Chief Jerry Schlosser read Smith’s official letter of resignation.
Smith announced he will retire from the Leitchfield Fire Department and Leitchfield Utilities Commission effective June 30, 2013.
In his letter, Smith described Leitchfield as a “remarkable community with incredible foresight” and discussed his time working for the City.
Smith served on the LFD for 45 years, and a combined total of 22 years on the Leitchfield City Council and Utilities Commission.
Schlosser said that based on the bylaws of the Fire Department, he is next in line to become Fire Chief, if he so chooses. If Schlosser turns the position of Fire Chief down, it would then go to Second Assistant Chief Tony King.
However, Schlosser, who has been with the LFD for 41 years, said, should he decide to take over as Leitchfield Fire Chief, he would then have to resign from the Leitchfield City Council.
“I’ve got a hard decision to make,” Schlosser said.
Harrell also announced during the reading of his official letter of resignation that on July 1, 2013, he will retire as Public Works Director.
Harrell said he has given the City “well over half the years of my life,” and after talking with his loved ones, has decided that now is the right time for him to retire.
Harrell said he has witnessed many changes in the Public Works Department over the years, and though it is time for him to retire, he is confident that the Department’s new employees will take over successfully.
As of press time, Harrell’s official replacement has not yet been announced.
Post a Comment
