Hart Will Step Down As Mayor, At Least Three Plan To Run

Three people have already announced plans to seek election for mayor in Water Valley following Tuesday night’s announcement that Mayor Larry Hart will step down on November 3. Herbie Rogers, Terry Rockette and Mickey Howley each reported Thursday that they plan to run in the special election. Alderman-at-Large Donald Gray also told the Herald that he has not ruled out a bid for mayor. Two other current aldermen, Kagan Coughlin and Cinammon Foster, both said they have no plans to run for mayor.

After the office is vacated on November 3 aldermen have 10 working days to enter an order requiring an election to fill the vacancy. The order must also include the date of the election, which must not be less than 30 days nor more than 45 days after the date on which the order is adopted. This would mean the election would be in mid-December, likely on either Dec. 12 or Dec. 19. 

Hart submitted the letter to City Clerk Vivian Snider on Sept. 29 stating that he will retire on November 3. The letter was read at the end of a lengthy city board meeting Tuesday night by Snider. Hart was not at Tuesday’s meeting. 

“Dear Mrs. Clerk, please accept this letter as my notice of retirement for position as mayor for the city of Water Valley effective Nov. 3, 2017. I will be available to your and the vice-mayor as needed during the transition. I plan to devote more time to my children, grandchildren and my businesses,” Hart wrote in the letter.

The meeting ended in a somber tone in respect for Hart, who has served Water Valley for three decades.