YACOLT — Yacolt Mayor Jeff Carothers resigned Monday evening during the Town’s Council meeting citing ongoing health issues related to his military service.
“After speaking with my care team and wife I must put my health and family welfare first,” Carothers explained during the meeting.
The resignation of council member Nancy Tester was also announced during the meeting. Tester’s letter of resignation cited medical issues that prevent her from carrying out her duties on the Council.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve on the Council,” she wrote in a resignation letter read by Carothers.
Carothers has served as Yacolt’s mayor since November of 2011, having been elected twice to the position. His resignation will be effective June 30, 2017. Tester served as Yacolt’s C-Tran representative and was an active member of the Council. She was appointed to the Council in 2016. Her resignation was effective June 1, 2017.
Following the mayor’s announcement, Council and staff members expressed their sadness with the news of his departure.
“Words cannot express how much his visionary ideas, support and sense of humor will be missed,” said Town Clerk Cindy Marbut.
Mayor Carothers represented Yacolt regularly at various government events. He hosted the annual mayor’s prayer breakfast and sat on a number of local boards.
“I leave knowing the town is in excellent hands with the Council and staff,” Carothers said at the meeting. “Together we have accomplished many things and Yacolt’s future is bright.”
With Mayor Carothers at the helm over the last five-and-a-half years, Yacolt achieved numerous goals, including…
- Development of an 8-acre recreational park, soccer field and pavilion
- Construction of a skate park for the town’s youth
- Securing grants used to improve the town’s streets, street lighting, parking lots and railroad crossings
- Beautification of the town’s main streets with flower baskets and banners
- Establishment of a public library in Yacolt’s historic old Town Hall building
- Creation of the town’s own Building Department
Members of the Town Council will appoint a replacement for both Carothers and Tester. The person appointed as mayor could be a current member of the Council or any other qualified citizen of the town. If a current member of the Council is appointed then there will be another vacant position on the Council.
Tester’s position on the Council is up for re-election in November. Tester did not seek re-election. Malita Moseley is running unopposed for the position. Whoever is appointed as Tester’s replacement will serve only through the end of the year.
On the lighter side, Mayor Carothers won the Clark County Mayors’ Patriotic Necktie competition two of the last four years, and shared the title a third year with Vancouver Mayor Tim Leavitt. The event is part of the annual Flag Day Celebration at Fort Vancouver, and is judged by local school kids or youth groups.
Information provided by town of Yacolt.
