For the second time in four months, a Galesburg alderman has stepped down because of a move outside ward boundaries.
Ward 3 Alderman Evan Miller announced during closing comments at Monday’s city council meeting that it would be his last.
Miller told WGIL after the meeting that an opportunity arose to buy a house in the country that he could not pass up.
“I put a lot into running,” Miller said. “I took a lot of pride in representing Ward 3. It really bothers me that I can’t fulfill my term and represent the people in my ward.”
He added that he came in wanting to make a change and felt he had made improvements in how the council works together.
“I came in with common sense, and the people voted me in,” Miller said. “I want to thank the people in Ward 3 for allowing me to represent them.”
Miller said he will miss residents calling with complaints and seeing issues resolved.
His advice to his successor: “Listen to the people. Come in with an open mind and just help as many people of the people that you can in your ward. And I help everybody—I don’t care what ward it’s in.”
Miller’s resignation is the second in four months due to a move outside ward boundaries, following the August departure of Ward 1 Alderman Bradley Hix, who also relocated just outside city limits.
Angelica Mangieri was unanimously elected as Hix’s replacement on Sept. 15.
Mayor Peter Schwartzman will now nominate Miller’s successor in Ward 3.
The mayor has 60 days from the vacancy to nominate a candidate, which the council must approve within 30 days. If the first nomination fails, a second candidate is proposed with another 30-day window. If both fail, the mayor can make a temporary appointment from the nominees until approval or the next election.
