Sun staff
Bethel councilwoman Donna Gunn announced her resignation from council during the May 16 meeting.
“As most of you know, a very special baby with ongoing medical needs was born nine days ago,” an emotional Gunn said to her fellow council members. “This child needs his grandmother more than the village does, so I am resigning my seat on village council, effective May 31.”
The announcement of her resignation was met with kind words from her fellow council members.
“Donna, I will miss you more than you can imagine,” councilwoman Priscilla Johnson said. “You have done so many things for this village, but I totally understand.”
Mayor Alan Ausman spoke up during the public input section of the meeting.
“I have some public input, speaking as a resident of the village,” Mayor Ausman said. “Thank you, Donna … You’ve put your heart and soul into this and it’s greatly appreciated by residents of the village.”
“Bethel has been through some trying times financially,” Gunn said in an e-mail. “One of my goals was to see the village come out of the fiscal emergency we were placed under by the state. That process is complete with the only missing piece being the actual declaration of release, which will hopefully be forthcoming this summer.”
As for the current state of the village, Gunn is confidant in her colleagues to keep it heading in a positive direction.
“The village is in good hands with Gilpin, Dotson, and Ausman at the helm,” Gunn said. “We have a good group on council and the best group of employees I’ve dealt with in my time on council.”
Though she is resigning her seat on village council, Gunn says she still plans on serving her community.
“I can’t imagine continuing to live in Bethel and not being involved in some manner,” she said.
After Gunn’s formal resignation on May 31, council will have 30 days to fill her seat. At the end of this time period, if no candidate has yet joined council, Mayor Ausman will appoint a new member.
“I feel I’ve served with honesty and integrity, making decisions based on the needs of the village and speaking up when needed,” Gunn stated. “I’ve been on council for more than 10 years, and I feel I’ve served my hometown well.”