Hart Will Step Down As Mayor, Three Candidates Commit To Run

By David Howell

Editor

 

WATER VALLEY – 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 Nov. 3. Herbert Rogers, Terry Rockette and Mickey Howley each reported Thursday that they plan to run in the special election. Rockette and Rogers both ran against Hart in the primary election for mayor back in May.

   

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 Cinnamon Foster, both told the Herald they have no plans to run for mayor.

The actual qualifying period will not start until next month after the office is vacated. Aldermen will have 10 working days after Nov. 3  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 you 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.

Hart’s resignation comes three months in the current term, which started in July. His tenure as mayor includes his first three terms, from 1993 to 2005; and another two terms, from 2009 -2017. He also served one term as Ward One Alderman, from 1985 to 1989. Tuesday’s meeting ended   in a somber tone in respect for Hart’s lengthy public service for the city.