Council Pres. Mike Platt Steps Down
A second high-profile resignation sets up a third city election in 2023
In the second major resignation by an elected leader this year, effective yesterday, City Council President Michael Platt has stepped down from the office he would have held until 2025. This will now prompt a second 2023 Special Election in the City of New Castle - for a record total of three municipal elections in a single year.
Mr. Platt referred to friction with other members of Council and spoke of New Castle needing a new beginning in the letter tendered to the city, which you can read in its entirety, below:
May 27, 2023
Dear William Barthel,
It is with a heavy heart that I will be resigning from my position as City Council President of our beautiful town effective August 17, 2023. This decision was made on the date above, but my thoughts were paused until the outcome of the election was known.
Over the course of my tenure, I have dedicated myself to the betterment of our community, striving to lead our town towards a brighter future. However, recent challenges have made it clear that my efforts to enact positive change are hindered by a lack of support and cooperation from certain council members.
Despite my best intentions and commitment, I have found myself facing a frustrating and unproductive environment. The existence of back-room discussions and a refusal to collaborate, along with the circulation of rumors have severely impeded the progress we could achieve together. It is disheartening to witness the greater good being sacrificed due to personal differences and power struggles.
I believe that a successful council is one that functions as a cohesive unit, valuing open dialogue, collaboration, and diverse perspectives of its members. Regrettably, the current circumstances do not lend themselves to this belief and prevent me from effectively fulfilling my duties and responsibilities to the best of my ability.
I hope that my decision to step down will allow for a fresh start and an opportunity for the council to reevaluate its dynamics and goals. My hope is that the town will continue to thrive and flourish under new leadership that can bridge the divides and focus on a shared vision we all hold for our entire community.
I extend my sincere gratitude to you and the entire council for the privilege of serving as City Council President. I will always cherish the memories and true relationships I have formed during this time.
Thank you once again for the opportunity to serve our wonderful town.
Sincerely,
Michael M. Platt
Citizen of the City of New Castle
The letter is presented here exactly as it was received by Council members. City Topics hopes to sit down with Mr. Platt in coming weeks to probe the “lack of support and cooperation from certain council members” and “frustrating and unproductive environment” to which he refers.
Mr. Platt’s resignation was received the same day that newly-elected New Castle Mayor Valarie Leary - with whom he has publicly been at odds for some time - was sworn into office.
In a meeting next week, City Council will set the timeline for the next Special Election, which will then prompt the city Board of Elections to set a location and begin preparing for New Castle’s next balloting.
Mr. Platt’s move follows the resignation earlier this year of Mayor William Blest, who took office in April but stepped down less than a month later. That resignation prompted the Special Mayoral Election completed on August 5, won by Mrs. Leary.
The City Charter does not make clear how exactly Council will function without a President. While presiding over meetings is left to that office or its designee, the Charter does provide that, “Council may adopt rules for the government of their own body and the transaction of business.” This may, therefore, include selecting a President Pro-Tempore for the next few months to temporarily fill the role.
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