Long-serving Fort Thomas board member to step down after May meeting

A long-serving member of the Fort Thomas Board of Adjustment announced at the end of the board’s meeting that he will submit his resignation after the May meeting, saying he will attend one more meeting before leaving.

The board member, who identified himself during the meeting and said he has served on the board for approximately 40 years in that chair, told attendees: "I'm going to finally submit my resignation after the next meeting, after May. I will be here one more meeting in May and then it's going to be up to you all." He also noted that he and his wife had been asked to serve as grand marshals for an upcoming parade.

Why it matters: The departure of a long-tenured board member reduces institutional memory on land-use precedents and calls for recruitment of members familiar with local land-use history. Several colleagues publicly thanked him for decades of service and described him as a steadying presence who knows the community’s history and practice.

What colleagues said

Board colleagues praised his dedication and knowledge without offering new policy changes tied to the announcement. One board member said the departing member has "been the backbone" of the board and that his institutional knowledge and respectful manner have shaped how the board operates; another noted the board has long been seen as respectful and a good steward of citizen time.

Next steps

The member said he will remain through the May meeting; the board did not record any formal nomination or appointment process during the session. Staff and board members discussed schedules for future meetings but reported no confirmed cases for the next month at the time of adjournment.

Ending

Board members and staff thanked the departing member for his service; he said he expected to attend community events and may remain involved informally after his resignation takes effect.