Carrabelle mayor to step down Sunday
In a letter Monday afternoon to City Administrator Courtney Dempsey, Carrabelle Mayor Brenda La Paz said she plans to not see re-election, and will step down this Sunday, March 31.
“The reasons for my resignation range from personal, health, family, and financial,” she wrote. “I will not get into specifics as these matters are personal. These obligations will not allow me the time needed to perform my duties as mayor. “
La Paz was first elected to the mayor’s post in September 2015 after a term serving on the city commission.
“Nearly every waking moment over the past 12-and-one-half years has been dedicated to performing my duties as a public servant to the citizens of the Carrabelle community,” La Paz wrote. “My daily work as a public servant has been much more than a fulltime job. Therefore, it is not possible for me to continue the level of public service that I have provided over these many years.”
La Paz said she made the decision “after much prayer, combined with long and thoughtful consideration with my husband. Without the unwavering support of my dear husband, Greg, these many years of public service would never have been possible.”
Her husband, Greg Kristofferson, has been a steadfast presence at the city meetings, including filming the proceedings for placement on social media, prior to the city striking a deal with Forgotten Coast TV to broadcast the meetings online.
“I am proud and thankful the citizens have entrusted me with their leadership. It has been a true honor, privilege, and pleasure. Every day brought new educational opportunities and challenges,” La Paz wrote. “Sometimes the outcomes of final decisions on the commission level were discouraging, but I would pick myself up by the bootstraps and continue my work, always towards a positive future for Carrabelle.
“I am inspired about returning to life as a private citizen. This will now put closure to recent speculation and allow others who may be interested in this challenging public position to come forward,” she wrote.
City Clerk Keisha Messer said last week that two individuals, Danyell Robison and Vance Pedrick, had declared their intention to run for mayor this fall. In addition, the at-large commission seats held by Sebrina Brown and Keith Walden will be on the ballot.
La Paz said that she will provide guidance prior to Sunday regarding the state statute and city code that outlines the filling of vacancies on the city commission.
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