Cleveland Mayor Roy “Shan” Ash has resigned his position effective immediately.
Ash, who was on the agenda Monday afternoon for a special called meeting with one of the purposes to have him and councilwomen Annie Sutton and Nan Bowen sworn into office for a new term, submitted his written resignation earlier in the day.
In Ash's resignation letter, addressed "to whom it may concern", he states “due to unforeseen recent events, please accept this letter as formal notification that I am leaving my position as mayor of Cleveland, Ga., effective immediately.”
Ash’s letter also states much has been accomplished in the past four years.
“It is my hope that my civic service will have a positive impact for years to come for our community,” Ash’s letter states.
Relations between Ash and council members have not been the same since Ash sent what council members called an unauthorized letter this past summer to the State Board of Pardons and Parole on behalf of a White County resident.
During Monday’s called meeting, Sutton was elected as mayor pro-tem for 2020.
Sutton said she is ready to fill the mayor's position until a special election can be held in 2020.
“Oh yeah, I'm ready,” Sutton said. “I'm always excited on a new adventure myself so I just hope that I can do the city proud.”
Sutton was asked if she would be seeking the mayor's position in the special election, but said she would have to think about it.
