The Ellis County Press: Mayor resigns

Mayor resigns
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Megan Gray on 09/22/2011 11:46:00


WILMER - The gavel slammed.
It was Thursday, Sept. 15 and the Wilmer City Council Chamber was filled with
tension.
Mayor Jeff Steele called his resignation at 9:25 p.m.
“It’s now 9:25 p.m. and I resign,” said Steele.
Steele had been enduring the wrath of Mayor Pro Tem Hector Pena since the
beginning of Pena’s appointment to council in May and finally said enough is
enough.
“Stop acting like a king,” said Pena.
“You need to stop delegating like a monarch.”
Steele, citing election code, said the mayor is to act as the chief executive
officer of the city.
“According to a good legal mind I know, he uses the dictionary to look up
definitions,” said Steele.
A dictionary search for CEO found the following: The person with overall
responsibility for ensuring that the daily operations of an organization run
efficiently and for carrying out strategic plans. The chief executive of an
organization normally sits on the board of directors. In a limited company, he
or she is usually known as a managing director.
Once Steele resigned, loud cheers were heard from Pena’s supporters and
shouting of “no mayor wait” were overheard from Steele supporters.
“I just want what’s best for the city,” said Steele sitting comfortably 
in his home during an interview the day after his resignation.
Why did he resign one wonders?
“I became the vocal point of the meetings and I felt nothing was getting done.
I feel if I removed  myself from council then they[council] could move forward
and bring better things to the city of Wilmer,” said Steele.
Pena, who ran against Steele this year for the position of mayor, doesn’t want
the mayor’s seat.
“I have a full-time job and will actually admit I don’t know everything it
takes to run a city,” said Pena.
“I am honest.”
Pena continued to mention he will only continue to serve as mayor pro tem and a
mayor will be appointed by council soon.
“A wonderful mayor.”
Steele said he feels if Pena doesn’t seek the Mayor’s seat, it shows he is
“a coward.”
“I just want to say we are moving forward now and you can expect lots of
changes, for the better,” said Pena.
An agenda posted for a special meeting on the city of Wilmer’s Web site for
Thursday, Sept. 22 at 7:30 p.m. at 101 Davidson Plaza, lists an appointment for
mayor as well as acceptance of a resignation  of councilmember.
Steele was appointed to fill the remainder of former Mayor Don Hudson’s term
in November 2008 before winning election in May the following year.