Mt. Vernon Register-News

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October 15, 2008

Belle Rive Village Board member resigns

By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

BELLE RIVE — Village board members have agreed to have a meeting of the street and alley committee to discuss what should be included in a parking ordinance to address parking concerns downtown, but will be one member short as board member Fred Gowler turned in his resignation Tuesday.

“The ordinance that went in effect in 1925 worked fine until recently,” Mayor Donnie Wilkey said. “I think the ordinance we’ve got will work for us. ... It’s our ordinances and the parking will be set up the way this board sets it up.”

Parking problems in the village center on the businesses located on Main Street, one owned by the mayor and the other by Belle Rive Fire Chief Lance Thackery and his wife. The issue has been ongoing for about two years, and earlier this month the board voted to change the existing ordinance in an attempt to settle the issue of what is public and what is private parking along the street.

Finding an attorney to draft the ordinance is also becoming an issue, as both attorney’s who have worked for the village in the past have resigned. Also resigning Tuesday was Fred Gowler.

“With the sale of my current property pending, and with my new residence located outside the village of Belle Rive city limits, I will be resigning from the village board as a trustee effective [Oct. 15],” Gowler wrote.

Gowler said although he hasn’t changed his address, since last Thursday, he has been spending more time at his new home located about six miles south of Belle Rive.

“There’s over two years left on my term,” Gowler said. “If I resign now, there’s time come the April election to have a two year term on it.”

Anyone interested in the position can pick up nominating petitions on Oct. 28, City Clerk Doris Mallory said.

In addition, Wilkey said next month he will be bringing forward someone to fill the position until the election. The board would then vote on the appointment.

The board also addressed the issue of the Internet tower on village property owned by Mt. Vernon Net. Board member Janet Mauser has been charged with contacting the business’ attorney and letting the company know the village would be willing to allow the tower to remain for a $100 per month lease — one of the stipulations allowed in the agreement which was made formerly with Wilkey.

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