Sylva town board member Mark Jones’ seat at the boardroom table sat empty last Thursday. Jones, facing health issues, has stepped down.
Town Manager Paige Dowling read a letter Jones penned:
“Dear Town of Sylva Board of Commissioners and Residents,
It is with a heavy heart that I am resigning from the Town of Sylva Board of Commissioners effective Feb. 13. In the last month, I’ve had major medical issues that are forcing me to resign.
I need to focus on my health and family, and I cannot give this position the full attention I feel like this town needs.
I commend the board and staff on everything we’ve been able to accomplish the last year. It has been a pleasure working with all of you.
I am grateful to Public Works, Fire, Police, Administrative staff and the Town Manager for all your support and what you do for the residents. I’m grateful to the residents for putting your faith in me.
I appreciate the support from the business community for standing behind our little town. It is going to take businesses, residents, staff and the board supporting each other and working together to get through the next few years.
I hope the commissioner who replaces me will have the best interests of the citizens, staff and business community at heart.
I want to wish the town and residents the best. Please keep me in your prayers and stop to say hello when you see me in the street.”
Jones worked to bring Matt Stillwell, Sylva’s country music star, to perform a free fundraising concert at Bridge Park last summer.
The effort raised over $4,000 in donations and a van full of clothes for United Christian Ministries.
Jones was sworn to the board on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023 after winning a close election.
He came aboard with Mayor Johnny Phillips and board member Blitz Estridge, a trio whose mission was to return Sylva to its small-town roots.
New board member
“We need to have someone at this time add an item to the agenda to accept his resignation and discuss the schedule for filling the vacancy,” Dowling told the board.
The remaining board members – Mary Gelbaugh, Brad Waldrop, Blitz Estridge and Jon Brown – will appoint a new board member following an application process.
The timeline to fill the vacancy:
• Feb. 20 and 27 – Advertise vacancy in the Sylva Herald.
• March 5 – Applications for board vacancy due to Town Hall.
• March 13 – Applications will be distributed to the board for review in open session. The names will not be shared before that meeting.
• March 27 – Board votes by ballot to fill the vacancy.The newly appointed Commissioner will attend the budget meeting.
“The selected commissioner won’t be sworn in yet, but it’s important to the budget process for them to hear the budget issues and participate in the process,” Dowling said in a followup interview.
• April 10 – The newly appointed member will be sworn in.
Ballots will contain the board member’s name and a list of candidates to choose from. The announcement must be public including board member’s name and selection choice. The seat will be on the 2025 (unexpired term) and 2027 municipal ballot.