Loganville Mayor Resigns, Special Election Called

At an emotional meeting Wednesday, beginning with a prayer and moment of silence for Loganville Mayor Ray Nunley and his family, the Loganville City Council voted Wednesday to accept the mayor's resignation, effective immediately.

"I have tried to maintain a business as usual attitude but recently I realized business is not usual," Nunley wrote in his letter of resignation. "The time has come that I must do what is best for my family and the City I love so much."

Nunley has been battling lung cancer since he was diagnosed in November last year.

The council then voted to call for a Special Election on June 18, 2013 to fill the remainder of the mayor's unexpired term. The qualifying period will be from 8 a.m. on April 15 to noon on April 17 and the qualifying fee will be $360. The position was up for re-election in November, so whoever wins the election will have to run again in November for the next full four-year term.

In the event that Loganville the council will then call for another Special Election to fill Curry's unexpired term on the council. It too will take place on June 18, 2013. Curry's seat does not come up for re-election until 2015, so whoever is elected will get to serve out the remaining two and a half years before having to run again for a full four-year-term. The qualifying period for that seat would then likely be April 22, 23, 24 and the qualifying fee would be $180.

The council then went on to discuss how the interim two months would be handled on the council, which would effectively be short of a mayor and one council member. who is currently serving overseas with the military, was in attendance via telephone and will need to be in the remaining meetings in order for the council to qualify for a quorum.

It was decided that a mayor Pro Tem would be elected at the April City Council meeting in order to fill the vacuum. However, Elections Supervisor Kristi Ash said should only one person qualify for the mayor's seat, she believes that may not be necessary.

"I think he would be able to be sworn in immediately, but I will have to check on that," Ash said, adding that this situation is obviously not something that is routinely dealt with. The same would apply for the city council post. If no more than one person qualified, there would be no need for another election prior to November when the mayor and three council posts are up for re-election. The November election will be for four-year terms for the seats of mayor and council members Rey Martinez, Michelle Lynch and Mark Kiddoo.