By ZEINAB NAJM
Times-Herald Newspapers
HEIGHTS — City Councilman Thomas Berry resigned from his seat May 16 after almost 12 years on the council. He did not cite specific reasons for the resignation in a letter he wrote.
“While I have made mistakes, I have learned as well,” the letter read. “The greatest pain of public service are the sacrifices a person must make of themselves and those near and dear to them. Unfortunately, I can no longer make those sacrifices and I must turn my attention inward.”
His letter to residents, employees, council members and the mayor did not sight a specific reason for his resignation but said the decision was made “with a heavy heart and much regret.”
Berry praised his peers and co-workers saying that, “during my tenure as councilperson, I have had the honor of working with many well-intended, good natured, loyal and hardworking people.”
The resignation is effective immediately and will leave a vacancy on the council. Once the council accepts his resignation they will decide if a new council member will be appointed or selected from the upcoming election.
Berry had filed for re-election and his name will be on the Aug. 8 primary ballot because the deadline to withdraw his name passed.
His seat along with those of incumbents Joseph Kosinski, Margaret Horvath and Robert Constan are set to expire at the end of this year.
Constan is seeking re-election alongside challengers Bill Bazzi, Larry Mitchell, Denise Maxwell, Ned Apigian, Jeff Mallad, Mohammed Baydoun, Tom Wencel, Lisa Oshanski and Ali Almuna on the ballot.
If Berry makes it past the primary election and is re-elected he will have to give up the seat and then the council would appoint someone to fill the vacancy.
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected].)