Manley Quits: Cites Lack Of Support

His resignation note:

To Honorable Mayor Jim O’Neal and City Council:

I am reminded of D-Day 1944 in Europe for the decision to invade France for the victory to end WWII (of which I was a part.) General Eisenhower wrote two hand written notes. One was that our troops had successfully invaded France and established a firm beachhead. The other note was the invasion was a failure and he took full responsibility for that failure. That note was never used.

So it is with this note. I have failed to get a majority of support from this current Council so it is with regrets that after 10 years of dedicated service to the Springfield City Council I hereby submit my resignation.

I plan to leave for France in May. My wife of 58 years passed away one year ago. Things have changed. I will be moving outside the Springfield city limits when I return.

I have tried to dedicate all my energy and knowledge and time to this city without any pay or compensation. I am grateful for the opportunity to have served this great city.

My wife of 58 years passed away over a year ago and things in my life have changed.

I will be going to France for a couple of weeks to help celebrate their liberation rom Nazi Germany. When I return I will be moving outside the Springfield city limits and will not be eligible to serve on city council any longer.

Please accept my heartfelt thanks to all who allowed me to serve this city.

God bless you.

Ralph K. Manley

Three votes were taken at tonight's city council meeting in an attempt to fill the position of Mayor Pro Tem. A candidate has to receive five votes in order to be elected Mayor Pro Tem. All three votes had the same result. Chiles received four votes (O’Neal, Chiles, Ibarra, Bailes); Burlison received three votes (Stephens, Burlison, Rushefsky); Manley received two votes (Rush, Manley). Ralph voted for himself on all three ballots.

In April, 2007, Manley lost the Mayor Pro Tem position to Gary Deaver. At that time he abstained and did not vote for himself. After that election, sources told the Bus driver that he was so upset and brokenhearted that he didn't win the pro tem that he wanted to quit right then but other council members talked him out of it.

Prior to tonight's council meeting, Manley told a reporter and a blogger in attendance that he had an announcement to make after the meeting. Manley also gave the SN-L a copy of his resignation letter this afternoon.

Does the Council appoint a replacement or will the seat be filled by a special election? Dan says Jim will appoint a replacement who will hold the seat until the next city election.

With Manley's resignation, SW Springfield does not have a voice on the City Council.

Manley is 84 years old.

Here is Amos Bridges' piece in the SN-L on Manley's resignation:

Springfield City Councilman Ralph K. Manley plans to tender his resignation tonight, citing an upcoming move outside city limits and his failure to win the seat of mayor pro tem as two reasons.

Manley, a World War II veteran and long-time Springfield real estate developer, has served on city council for the past 10 years, elected most recently in April 2007.

He spent four of those years as mayor pro tem and has been a fixture at public events and ground-breakings, where the 84-year-old is known for jumping in the air and clicking his heels.

Manley on Monday gave the News-Leader a copy of a letter he planned to give to newly-elected Mayor Jim O’Neal and fellow councilmembers. In it, he said he was “grateful for the opportunity to have served this great city.”

“My wife of 58 years passed away over a year ago and things in my life have changed,” Manley explained in the letter. “I will be going to France for a couple of weeks to help celebrate their liberation from Nazi Germany. When I return I will be moving outside the Springfield city limits and will not be eligible to serve on city council any longer.”

And just to remind you, the third largest city in the state is governed by volunteers.