Ellerbe Mayor Olivia Webb resigned this week after serving as mayor since December 2009.
Webb stepped down after moving outside of the Ellerbe town limits. She announced her plans on Monday.
“It is with great sadness and regret that I submit to you my resignation,” Webb said in her resignation letter. “My living situation has changed, and it is no longer feasible for me to maintain a permanent residence inside the town limits.”
Webb began her second term in November 2011, and the term runs through December 2013.
“I cannot express how much I have valued the opportunity to serve as your mayor or how proud I am of all we have accomplished for the town of Ellerbe, but there exists no realistic way for me to remain eligible to finish out the remainder of my term,” she said in her statement. “I wish you all the very best and I thank you for your service.”
Mayor Pro Tem James “Buddy” Cooper will serve the remainder of Webb’s term.
Cooper took over a seat on town council when Jerry Meacham resigned in 2010. He ran to keep the seat in the November, 2001 elections, won and was appointed Mayor Pro Tem.
“I’ve served on the Ellerbe town council off and on since 1987,” said Cooper, who also represents the council on the Lumber River Council of Government.
Sixty-five-year old Cooper, who is retired, said he doesn’t think he’ll run to keep the position of mayor when the term is up, but he does plan to continue serving on the town council.
“I want to see this sewage project through to the end,” said Cooper. “We should be done by this time next year - construction will start on Monday, July 9th.”
The sewage project will do away with Ellerbe’s current sewage system, and connect sewage lines to the Rockingham system.
“I hate that Olivia left,” said Cooper. “She was one of the best mayors that the town has had.”
Webb will continue to serve as the executive director of the Richmond Community College Foundation, and says that she plans to remain active in the town’s activities.
“I love Ellerbe and I will always be involved in the town,” said Webb. “I currently serve on the Ellerbe Hometown Christmas Committee, the Ellerbe Lions Club and the Friends of the Ellerbe Library Board. My position at RCC also keeps me involved with all kinds of service groups and community events throughout the county.”
— Staff Writer Kelli Easterling can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 18, or by email at keasterling@heartlandpublications.com.
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