Two Eureka Springs aldermen, Melissa Greene and David Avanzino, resigned at the Feb. 26 city council meeting. Both said it had nothing to do with sewage leaks or expensive upgrades needed at the sewer plant, it was because they both moved out of the ward they were representing.
“Effective immediately I will be resigning my position on city council ward 2 position 1,” Greene wrote in her resignation letter. “I am no longer living in ward 2 and by law I cannot continue to serve. It has been an honor, privilege and pleasure to serve my city I love for 19 years on the council and various commissions.”
Greene served on city council for six years, and before that was on the Historic District Commission for 14 years and the Planning Commission for eight years. She said in a phone interview that she and her husband, Joe, have moved to Berryville where they are restoring a home. The couple has renovated houses in Eureka Springs for 25 years. Greene said it was easier to move than go back and forth from Eureka to work on the house.
But she said she plans to move back. If incumbent Mayor Butch Berry doesn’t run for re-election, Greene said she intends to run for the position.
Greene said one of the things she is most proud of is being part of getting city finances solvent.
“When Butch took office, nine years ago, the city was basically bankrupt,” Greene said. “I wasn’t on council at that time. But with mayor and strong city council members since then got us out of hock and more financially solvent. I’ve also been a part of lot of guidelines changes on HDC and code changes on the planning commission. I strengthened animal cruelty laws in this town.”
Greene said she is enjoying her residency in Berryville. “There is a lot going on in Berryville,” she said.
Avanzino said he resigned from ward one, position 2, because he and his husband had moved out of that ward. He said he had no idea Greene was also planning to resign. He now lives in the ward Greene was representing and plans to put his name up to be appointed to that position.
“My hope is to be reinstated on the city council within the next few meetings, allowing me to fully focus on serving the needs and interests of ward 2 residents,” Avanzino said. “And, if selected, I will continue to represent the city council and taxpayers on the City Advertising and Promotion Commission (CAPC). In fact, I have never limited myself to representing only the Ward in which I was elected. I have made it quite clear to others that I represent the citizens of the entire city.”
Avanzino was appointed to represent the city council on CAPC. Vacancies on the CAPC have previously raised concerns about having enough members present to have a quorum to pass resolutions. But Avanzino leaving puts the CAPC, which has seven members, down by only one member.
The two resignations put the city council down to four members, but Berry said as mayor he is considered a member of the council when four votes are needed to pass a resolution. So even if one member was absent, the city would have enough members to conduct business.
Berry said after the city receives all letters of interest, the letters will be distributed to the city council.
“There may be several council members who are not familiar with the applicants and would like time to visit with them,” Berry wrote in an email.
Those who wish to apply for a seat on council should check the map on the city’s website to see if they qualify regarding residency. Applications need to be turned in by March 8. Replacements will be voted on at the city council meeting on March 25.