Changes happening in Electric City governance

Change is afoot in Electric City with the last remaining councilmember from the old regime resigning and the fire chief reinstated after being fired last year.

Electric City Councilmember Aaron Derr resigned from his position in a letter dated Jan. 14.

“At this time in my personal life I feel that I cannot commit to the dedication necessary to fully and properly represent my constituents,” Derr wrote in the letter. “Perhaps in the future, when family health and personal business allow, I may once again represent the people of this city.”

The term for the empty seat runs to the end of 2021.

Derr was the last remaining member of the previous council before the November election replaced four incumbent council members as well as the mayor. Derr’s position was not up for reelection in that election. The newly elected councilmembers and mayor were vocal in their criticism of the previous council, mayor, and city administrator during their campaign.

City Administrator Russ Powers announced his resignation during the December council meeting.

Much of the criticism of the previous council members, mayor, and city administrator came from controversial street projects, a new park project, and the firing of Fire Chief Mark Payne in 2019 for insubordination.

Payne was reinstated as fire chief in Electric City at the city council’s Jan. 14 meeting.

Newly elected Mayor Diane Kohout recommended Payne be reinstated as chief, which was approved 3-1 by the newly elected council. Councilmember Cheryl Hoffman voted no.

“I’m happy to be back, happy to serve,” Payne told The Star. “Happy we got a new council. It’s just gonna be back to normal, I hope.”

Payne said he plans to reinstate Captain Josh Reeder as well as Michael Gause as a firefighter. Reeder and Gause had left the fire department in Payne’s absence.