Homer mayor to step down Jan. 1; trustees accept resignation and name deputy mayor interim

The Village of Homer Board of Trustees on a voice vote accepted a resignation letter from the mayor that sets the mayor’s departure effective Jan. 1, 2025, at 12:01 a.m.

In a letter read aloud at the meeting, the mayor said, “After eight rewarding years of serving this community I have been presented with an unexpected professional opportunity that I cannot decline,” and described achievements during the tenure, including securing “the $10 million downtown revitalization initiative Grant.” The board moved to accept the resignation, the motion was seconded and trustees responded “all in favor.”

The mayor’s letter, read during the meeting, credited teamwork on projects such as preservation of the Little White Church, sidewalk and sewer upgrades, modernization of parks and water-system improvements, and a new water tank financed at 0% after earlier unsuccessful attempts. Trustees praised those accomplishments, saying the mayor had been an effective advocate for the village at the state level and had mentored newer local officials.

A trustee asked for clarification about the “DRRI” referenced in the letter; a board speaker confirmed the reference meant the downtown revitalization initiative and repeated the $10 million figure cited by the mayor. The mayor’s letter framed that award as a transformative investment for Main Street and related projects.

As a procedural step, a trustee who identified themself during the meeting as the deputy mayor said they will serve as mayor until the board votes to fill the vacancy at its next regular meeting on the 14th. The board did not record an individual roll-call tally in the transcript; the vote on the motion to accept the resignation was described as unanimous with trustees saying “all in favor.”

The board adjourned after the resignation was accepted; trustees mentioned an informal gathering following the meeting.