MORLEY MAYOR STEPS DOWN

The mayor of Morley unexpectedly submitted her resignation Wednesday becoming the second city official to leave office this month.

Joan Berry, who was elected mayor last April, submitted her resignation in a letter to the city council saying she was unable to do what she had planned for the city of 873.

Berry becomes the second city official to step down from office in the past 10 days. On Jan. 12, alderman Jerry May from the city's first ward resigned.

In her letter Berry said she was resigning her mayoral duties effective immediately and turning the office over to the mayor pro tem, Alderman Andy Matz.

"I feel my services are not needed and my resignation will save the city $100 a month," Berry said.

"I thought I could help the city, but I was mistaken, so therefore I step down," she wrote.

When reached at her home, Berry said she did not wish to comment about her resignation at this time.

Berry's resignation comes just two days before the city council is scheduled to consider putting a sewer bond issue on April's ballot. The council must decide by next Tuesday whether to put the issue on the ballot.

On Tuesday all ballot issues are supposed to be submitted to the Scott County Clerk.

Matz had filed for re-election to the city's board of alderman. He is facing opposition from Earl Woods Jr., who has also filed.

The only who has filed in the city's first ward is Teresa Hicks. She is expected to be appointed to the board Friday night when the board meets to consider the sewer bond issue. If appointed, Hicks will complete the unexpired term of Jerry May, who resigned last week.

Berry said she does have "mixed feelings" about the resignation, but "after giving it much thought I do think it is the right thing."