The Mayor of Smyrna has released a statement confirming his intention of stepping down.

Effective 4:00pm on Thursday, August 29, 2013, Mayor Tony Dover is officially resigning as the Mayor of the Town of Smyrna. Dover has served as Smyrna’s Mayor since 2009 and was first elected to the Town Council in 2001.

Mayor Dover stated, “Due to recent changes with my full time job, I am no longer able to dedicate the time and energy necessary to effectively serve as Mayor for the Town of Smyrna.”

Current Vice-Mayor Mary Esther Reed will replace the outgoing Dover and be sworn into her role as Mayor on Tuesday, September 10th at the next Town Council Meeting.

Entire statement from Mayor Dover:

Since 2001, I have had the privilege to serve my hometown as a Councilman, Vice-Mayor and Mayor. I thank the citizens of Smyrna for having trusted me with these positions over the past 12 years and feel it an honor to have served them with the other dedicated men and women on the council as well as the Town Manager and Town staff. Because the time commitment can be great, people sometimes forget that positions on the Town Council are part time and as such, members have outside jobs to support their families. I have been fortunate over the years to have had the flexibility to devote the time necessary to serve, however, my job situation has recently changed and I can no longer divide my energy between serving the Town and having a full time career. My family and providing for them must come first. Therefore, effective 4:00 pm August 29th 2013, I am resigning my position as Mayor of the Town of Smyrna.

It takes a strong person to accept the challenge of elected office but it also takes a strong person to know when it is time to give it up. I have said before that my position does not define who I am; rather, who I am defines how I handle the position. I am proud of my years of service and although this has not been an easy decision to make, I have always prayed that I would be able to recognize when it is my time to step away. Now is that time.

I have every faith in Vice-Mayor Reed and know that she will step into the role of Mayor as a capable and qualified leader. I have enjoyed serving with this council and know that the transition will be smooth due to the support and cohesiveness of the entire group. This is the best and most productive council a mayor could hope to work with and we are blessed to live in a great town, with great people, and great opportunities.

Source:

Mark O’Neal, Town Manager, Town of Smyrna