CRESWELL – At Monday night’s city council work session, Mayor Nick Smith announced the resignation of councilor Staci Holt, effective that meeting.
“Serving this community has been an honor, and I will miss this lovely small town and its people. It has been a privilege to serve with the current Mayor and City Council, which I consider to be the best Creswell has had in a while,” Holt said.
Holt was elected in January 2023 by write-in nominations, and her term was scheduled to expire in January 2027.
In addition to city council, she has served on the budget committee, the administration and finance committee, and the water rate advisory committee.
“I don’t think I’ve ever encountered a councilor who’s better at asking questions,” said councilor Clark Kent. “Good, well-thought-out, pointed questions to the council, and I’m going to try to keep that alive, but it’ll take me a while to get there.”
City manager Vincent Martorello said a brief email was sent to the mayor that announced her resignation, and her last meeting was going to be on Monday, July 27.
“We come from different political backgrounds, yet we worked together respectfully and successfully, always considering citizen voices in every decision and staying focused on city issues. In my view, it is a great example of how a city council should function and too often does not elsewhere,” she said.
“Unfortunately, policies from Salem have made it increasingly difficult for ordinary people and local businesses to get ahead in Oregon. Prosperity is harder to achieve here, as shown by the businesses and families continuing to leave the state,” she said.
“I am relocating to a place where I believe I can still build a secure future. I leave with gratitude for the chance to serve and with hope for the friends and neighbors I leave behind,” Holt said.
