Three new faces joined the Dunnellon Metropolis Council in 2022. Final week, essentially the most long-serving member, the town’s mayor, resigned.
Invoice White abruptly introduced his quick resignation on Jan. 19 on social media and by way of an e-mail to Metropolis Clerk Mandy Odom.
“I’ve pre-existing well being circumstances that should be addressed,” White wrote in his letter to Odom. “I wish to deal with resolving these points.”
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White continued, “I’ve loved my 4 years as a member of the Dunnellon Metropolis Council.”
The evening earlier than his announcement, White hosted a three-hour particular Metropolis Council workshop with the Council to debate priorities for the town however didn’t point out he was leaving.
White is a retired educator and adorned thoroughbred coach from South Florida.
Although White was the longest serving member of the council, he was the seminal determine in a current wave of reform-oriented councilmembers. He was first elected to the council unopposed in 2018 for a four-year time period. White branded a extra deliberative, interrogative model at conferences and favored extra direct oversight of metropolis corridor by the council. Earlier than he was mayor, he took positions towards nearly all of members on points equivalent to establishing a park on the 9 Island Cove property alongside the Withlacoochee River and on the acquisition of a former church constructing for a brand new police facility.
Halfway by way of his time period in 2020, he introduced he was operating for the mayoral seat towards incumbent Dale Burns.
As mayor for 2 years, White continued his deal with Dunnellon parks, whether or not it was establishing extra reasonably priced entry to Metropolis Seaside at Chaplin A. Dinkins Memorial Park, returning management of the Dunnellon Boat Ramp at Centennial Park from the state to Dunnellon with the intention to set up launch charges, advocating for a 9 Island Cove Park, lobbying Marion County for loos and a shade shelter at Blue Run, an ordinance reaffirming a ban on business exercise at Blue Run, and constructing shade shelters at Metropolis Seaside.
He was additionally an early vocal opponent of a proposed Florida Turnpike extension close to Dunnellon.
Wally Dunn, who was elected as first-time member in November, is vice mayor. Jan Cubbage, who was elected to the council in 2020, is now the longest-serving member on the council.
Two division heads at Metropolis Corridor additionally submitted letters of resignation this month: Public Works Director Troy Slattery and Neighborhood Growth Director Georgina Cid. It was the second election cycle in a row the place Dunnellon welcomed three new Council members whereas additionally dropping two heads of workers.