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Two Rising Sun commissioners step down; Dave Warnick resigns immediately, Pauline Braun cited for health reasons
Summary
Mayor Marion announced two resignations from the board of commissioners at the Sept. 30 meeting. Commissioner Dave Warnick submitted an immediate resignation; Commissioner Pauline Braun is resigning due to health reasons and was not present. The board and staff praised their years of service.
Rising Sun, Md. — Mayor Marion told the board and public on Sept. 30 that two members of the town’s board of commissioners have resigned: Commissioner Dave Warnick submitted an immediate resignation, and Commissioner Pauline Braun is stepping down due to health reasons and was not in attendance.
The mayor opened the meeting’s reorganization remarks by saying, “Tonight I am very sad to report that we have 2 commissioners who are resigning from office. 1 of them no longer resides in the town of Rising Sun and the other 1 is resigning due to health issues.” The mayor thanked both for “more than a decade” of service and cited long volunteer histories.
Commissioner Warnick addressed the board and formally tendered his resignation. “Please accept my resignation from the board of commissioners effective immediately,” Warnick said. He reflected on 18 years of service — including seven years on planning and zoning followed by 11 years as a commissioner — and listed priorities he hoped would continue, including completion of a Rails-to-Trails project and work on Main Street.
Warnick also described a recent mayor-to-mayor exchange related to establishing a sister-city relationship with a town named Rising Sun in Indiana and shared a light anecdote about souvenirs he received during the trip.
Mayor Marion and other officials praised Warnick’s volunteerism and institutional knowledge. Marion said Warnick had been “very instrumental to helping to clean up a lot of the inefficiencies” and thanked him for the time he spent supporting the town.
Commissioner Pauline Braun was unable to attend because of health reasons; the mayor read a letter recognizing her years of service on planning and zoning and as streets and sidewalks commissioner. The mayor said Braun had been “an advocate for the everyday needs of our citizens” and thanked her for her commitment.
What happens next
The mayor and town administrator noted that board vacancies will be addressed according to town procedures. The meeting also approved consent-agenda appointments (including ethics-board business) and the town administrator clarified that some town boards permit non-resident members, which could affect eligibility for certain advisory boards.
Ending note
No formal vote was required to accept the resignations during the meeting; the mayor and board publicly thanked both commissioners for their service and said staff would follow the town’s appointment and vacancy procedures.
