August 10, 2020
By: Dwayne Page
Liberty Mayor Dwight Mathis has resigned.
Citing personal reasons including health issues, Mayor Mathis tendered his resignation effective immediately in a letter to the Board of Aldermen during their regular meeting Monday night.
Incumbent Liberty Alderman and Vice Mayor Dwayne Blair will succeed Mathis as Mayor and will serve in that role until the next election in August 2022.
After serving several years as Alderman, Mathis was first elected Mayor of Liberty in August 2013 succeeding longtime Mayor J. Edward Hale who passed away in May that year. Mathis was re-elected in 2018 to his second term as Mayor which will expire in 2022.
“I am writing this letter to inform everyone that I will be resigning this position as Mayor of Liberty effective immediately due to personal reasons. With much thought and prayer, I have made the decision to step down,” said Mayor Mathis.
“I have enjoyed serving in the capacity of Alderman as well as Mayor. I have appreciated the time I have been given to serve with all the members of the council and wonderful citizens of Liberty to make our community the best it could be. I know the welfare of Liberty and townspeople’s interests are in very capable hands. Your support, friendship, and sincerity will always be remembered”.
“I want to thank the Council for all their support, advice, and their encouragement. I also want to recognize Charlotte Bratten (City Recorder and Secretary) for her selfless service. Because of her contributions this Council has been productive and the City has flourished”.
“Lastly I want to thank my wife for standing by my side during this endeavor and being the person I could always depend on”.
“Thank you all for everything you have done and everything you will do. You are a great group of individuals. Sincerely, Dwight Mathis,” the letter concluded.
Other members of the Liberty Town Council are Aldermen Jason Ray, Howard Reynolds, Jr., J.D. Bratten, and Derek Johnson. Now that Blair has stepped down as Alderman to assume the role of Mayor, it will be up to the Council to name his successor to serve as Alderman until the next election in August 2022.