Avoca mayor resigns

AVOCA -- Avoca Mayor Jordan Sullivan resigned today, citing personal reasons.

Sullivan, reached by phone, confirmed the resignation, effective immediately, but would not elaborate on his reasons for leaving. Sullivan said he has served as mayor since January 2015, Before that, he said, he served on the town council and the town's planning commission. Altogether, he said, he has served the city in some capacity for about 10 years.

Kathleen Hansen, a member of the town council, said she was aware of Sullivan's resignation and the reasons for it, but she would not comment.

"I can tell you it is personal, and it's not political," Hansen said. "It's a very private and personal matter, and I don't feel free to disclose that."

Nanette Barnes, the city's recorder-treasurer, sent out a notice this afternoon of a special town council meeting, set for 5 p.m. Jan. 23 to discuss Sullivan's resignation.

Ed McClure, attorney for Avoca, said Tuesday afternoon he was still researching state law on the question of replacing the mayor in a town of the second class. He said he will present that information to the council at its special meeting.

McClure said his first impression is that the town council will have two options to choose from. The council could choose to appoint Barnes, who he said is acting mayor since Sullivan's resignation, to serve out the remainder of Sullivan's term. Or, he said, the council could appoint someone else to serve out the term.

According to information from the Benton County Clerk's Office, Sullivan's term expires Dec 31, 2018.

NW News on 01/17/2018

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