Quigley departing from council

Alexis Barker
NLJ Reporter
 
Councilman Todd Quigley is leaving his longtime seat on the Newcastle City Council, effective May 31. Quigley resignation was accepted on May 6.
Quigley was elected in November of 1996, according to City Clerk/Treasurer Greg James, and was seated January of 1997. He has served the community in this capacity for the last 22 years. 
The council is advertising for city residents to submit letters of interest to the city office as application for the seat, which will be vacant when Quigley’s resignation is effective. 
Quigley submitted his resignation letter, dated April 26, to the council, which voted unanimously “with regret” to accept it. 
“Although, I will continue to work in Newcastle for the foreseeable future my primary residence will be located outside of city limits,” Quigley said in the letter. 
He said during the meeting that his home in Newcastle sold faster than anticipated. While unsure of where he will be moving, he said, he is not positive it will be within city limits. 
“Being a member of the Newcastle City Council has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my adult life,” Quigley said in the letter. “I am appreciative of the support the citizens of Newcastle, fellow council members, department heads, city employees and the mayor have provided during my tenure.” 
Quigley said that the letter was hard to write. 
In order to fill the vacancy, the council will accept letters of interest from qualified individuals who reside within city limits. Advertisements, according to City Clerk Greg James, will run in the News Letter Journal for at least two weeks. 
“No closing date has been set as of now,” James said. 
He said that it is “very likely” that the council will follow a similar procedure to that used for past vacancies. 
The council will invite applicants to attend a council meeting and answer questions posed by the council before a decision is made on who will replace Quigley. 
Letters of interest can be turned into the city office at 10 W. Warwick.