Baker resignation added to Tuesday’s City Council agenda

Council member Stephen Baker’s resignation will come before City Council tonight.

In a letter to Mayor Kelly Anderson, dated Nov. 30, Baker wrote:

“It is with a heavy heart that I must ask you and the City Council to accept my resignation from Council effective Dec. 4, 2007. I have accepted a job offer outside of the immediate area, which will require that my family and I relocate.

It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to have served the citizens of Maricopa as a Councilman. During the three and a half years that I have been on Council, I have seen Maricopa go from a small rural town to one of the fastest growing cites in the United States. That growth has come with a lot of challenges and problems, but we as Council, with the help of our great staff have tried to meet and solve those issues for the benefit of our residents. The thing that I am most proud of accomplishing as a member of the Council has been to be part of setting the stage for future economic development, sustainable growth, and the establishment of the Maricopa Police Department.

While Lisa and I are very excited about the new opportunities facing us in our new home, (see related story) we will very much miss our friends here in Maricopa and wish you all well going into the future.”

At Tuesday’s meeting the Council will discuss the appointment and possibly direct staff to begin the application process for Baker’s vacant seat.

City code states that an unexpired council term will be filled by appointment. This appointee would serve the remainder of Baker’s term, approximately five months. A primary election, to fill Baker’s seat as well as those of two other councilmen and the mayor, is scheduled for March. If the primary results do not reflect a clear majority vote, a May general election is scheduled.

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