Bill Richardson Officially Resigns From City Council

 

SAN ANGELO, TX- This afternoon, Bill Richardson handed San Angelo Mayor Dwain Morrison a letter of resignation from his position as the City Council representative for Single Member District 1. 

Morrison said there was no more information other than a short statement of Richardson's resignation and his signature. 

"I resign immediately," Morrison read from Richardson's letter. 

Regarding the sudden change, Morrison said a workshop is planned for Tuesday of next week. It will be put on the council's agenda so that members can officially accept his resignation. 

Mayor Morrison said he is "comfortable" with Richardson's resignation despite there normally being a timeline for this procedure. 

The City Council can fill the vacancy if an unanimous vote of 6-0 is decided. There is also an option for a special election to take place if a decision can't be finalized.  

"We will try and fill up the position," Morrison said. 

He also noted that nothing has gone to plan with the normal rules and regulations. 

"The man made a mistake; he took credit for the mistake," Morrison said. 

He added that when Richardson offered his apology yesterday, he was understood to be considerate and apologetic. 

" He [has] taken ownership for everything that he's done," Morrison said.

Previous SMD 1 council member Rodney Fleming, who helped to actively remove Richardson from his post, had this to say on his social media, "So glad Bill Richardson did the right thing for once and resigned! Saves us all time and money!"

LIVE! has reached out to Richardson via phone and email, and an update will be provided if he responds to our request for comment. 

UPDATE @ 1:50 p.m.

This afternoon, the City's Public Information Officer, Anthony Wilson, sent out a press release regarding Richardson's submitted written resignation to Mayor Morrison this morning.

He said, "According to a Texas Attorney General opinion, the resignation will become effective once it is approved or accepted by the City Council or once eight days have passed since receipt of the resignation."

Also, the City Council will meet at 9 a.m. Thursday to engage in its annual strategic planning session. City Clerk Bryan Kendrick said a special meeting may be called prior to the planning session Thursday morning for the Council to consider acceptance of Councilman Richardson’s resignation and to discuss its options for filling the seat.

"Under the city charter, vacancies of any elected City office can be filled by a unanimous vote of the remaining City Council members for the unexpired term," said Wilson. "The District 1 seat’s term ends in May 2019."

He also noted that if a unanimous vote cannot be obtained within 30 days of the effective date of the vacancy, a special election shall be called for the first uniform election date under state law.

"Kendrick, the City’s chief elections officer, said the Council could, at its March 7 meeting, call a special election to be held in conjunction with the May 6 City Council election," Wilson added. "That election will fill the mayor’s post and the District 2, 4 and 6 seats for the next four years."

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Concho, Sat, 02/25/2017 - 17:23

It would make sense for the City Council to call a special meeting at the earliest possible date. They can accept the resignation and move on to filling the position; possibly without the need for a special election. Not my district but I think that Trinidad Aguirre should be acceptable to all of the current council. He would certainly provide some much needed new blood.

The cost of a special election in conjunction with the regular election would be minimal. It would need tight timing to get the candidiates filed in time but could be done. Trinidad is a good man but you need to remember he got beat fairly handily by Richardson who was fairly unknown and had almost no campaign funds. Have to ask why did Richardson beat Aguire? I think SMD 1 needs to have a direct say in who represents them on council. It may be Trinidad. Bay be some other candidate but they need to do their homework, elect a candidate that can live with and then live with their councilman. There are many fine possibilities. There is time to get it on the ballot, and the result of a special election would really be the best fit with the intent of the charter in this situation

Again, pay attention. Do the homework. Vote for the best man. I've heard it works.

Concho, Sat, 02/25/2017 - 18:19

Mr. Turner, for the most part I am in agreement with your comments except for Trinidad being beaten handily. I don't have the exact numbers but think there was only about a 50 vote difference of the more than 2000 cast. Because of the tight schedule, and to give campaigns time, I would think it better for the City Council to move earlier than the next scheduled meeting to accept the resignation. Having a special election in conjunction with the regular election should incur no expense other than to the candidates. Concur that SMD1 would be the best voice in selecting their representative.

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