Less than a month into the new year, the Black Diamond City Council lost a member and will be looking for a replacement.
Bill Saas, who won his seat in November 2009 and his term was to end Dec. 31, 2013, resigned Jan. 21.
Saas served during a period of time the council faced some very controversial and difficult decisions, including the weeks of hearings and eventual approval of the two YarrowBay master planned development ordinances in 2010. Saas recused himself from the development agreement hearings in September 2011.
Saas cited the demands of his work schedule as the principal reason for his decision to leave the council.
Saas said after winning the election for his council seat, serving was different from what he expected.
“(Councilman )Craig (Goodwin) and I jumped in at high tide,” Saas said, referring to the challenges facing the council over the YarrowBay developments. “I always hoped I had the people’s best interests at heart.”
The council has 90 days to find a replacement for Saas. If the members cannot find someone, the County Council steps in and chooses a replacement.
Councilman Ron Taylor said the council will go through a “very open and transparent process” to fill the seat.
Following is a letter Saas forwarded to The Reporter regarding his decision.
Following is a letter Saas forwarded to The Reporter regarding his decision.
“My wife and I have a family motto in our house, and that is, you finish what you start, you persevere and press on with your commitments because the harder it may seem, the stronger you become when you’ve walked through it. Well, this is a commitment that I myself will be breaking.
“When first elected in 2010 I had more time on my hands to focus and become educated on the then and current events of the city. But over the last year and specifically the last six months, my work schedule has limited my ability to maintain the proper focus and attention to detail that you and the city deserve. This decision does not come without literally months of thought and prayer as well as plenty of conversations with the key relationships in my life. So, as you can see, this was not the easiest decision to make but in the best interest of my family, the people and the city, as of the 21st of January I have stepped down from the City Council. I was going to make this public at the Jan. 19th council meeting but due to the weather conditions, the council meeting was cancelled. I had also planned on making this decision earlier, the fourth quarter of last year, but with the current city agenda, the development agreement hearings and the fact that we were right in the middle of the elections, I felt it best to announce my departure the first of the year.
“I can’t begin to explain the experience this has been and more importantly the relationships that have been developed, I consider this time nothing short of an honor to have served the people that make Black Diamond the city it is. I trust the current council have the people’s and city’s best interest at heart when City Council Position No. 4 is filled once again.
“So I thank you all very much for your trust in me and the experience this has been, I will be a better man because of it.”
