Goodyear Mayor Jim Cavanaugh abruptly ended his term as the city's mayor this morning. In a letter to the citizens of Goodyear, Cavanaugh resigned his post, citing problems with other elected officials as the reason.
"My effectiveness as your mayor has been diminished by a strong collaboration of city manager and a majority of city council," Cavanaugh writes.
Cavanaugh didn't provide specific details of any problems he's had with other officials, just that "the past couple years have been very disappointing to me."
In March, Cavanaugh was elected to his second four-year term as mayor, which officially came to an end at 8 a.m. today.
Vice Mayor Georgia Lord will now serve as acting mayor.
Check out Cavanaugh's entire letter after the jump.
"With this letter, I hereby announce my resignation as mayor, city of Goodyear, effective 8 a.m., 15 Nov. 2010. May I express my deep-felt appreciation to every citizen of our city for your support to me and the city staff during these past 11-plus years on council. My reason for resignation is not a result of a legal problem, an ethical problem, nor a medical issue. I have no job offer nor an expectation to serve in another political office. As the mayor, I am ultimately responsible for the execution of the city's mission and the safety, well-being, and quality of life of our residents. I take that responsibility very seriously, and I would hope that you expect nothing less from me. The past couple years have been very disappointing to me. My effectiveness as your mayor has been diminished by a strong collaboration of city manager and a majority of city council. Frankly, I do not find intellectual solace in their view of government size, democracy, bureaucracy, or taxation, although apparently some of our citizens do. When a person finds himself or herself unable to execute a responsibility in a manner in which he or she believes satisfies that responsibility, and realistically sees no cure under the existing situation, it is time to move on. That's what I'm doing."
