RIPLEY – After 16 years serving the Village of Ripley on Council, Roberta Sidwell presented the Council with her letter of resignation effective the first day of February.

She has been serving on council since 1999 and leaves Ripley to spend more time with her family.

“I am sad that I cannot fulfill my obligation but being on council has demands to be available to the residents of Ripley whenever called upon,” Sidwell said. “If I am gone a month here or a month there then I cannot do a good job as a council member.”

During her time at serving council she has seen many changes to the Village and been instrumental to the changes to the Village of Ripley.

“I look back and see all the improvements to our village and I am proud to say I was part of moving Ripley forward,” Sidwell said. “I have loved every minute, both the good and the not so good times. I have served with many council members through the years and have great respect for their opinions. We have not always agreed with one another, but the confidence we have to put the Village first has always been a priority with us.”

Sidwell said her only regret was not being able to complete her term on council. She is also retiring from her position at First State Bank.

Other business from Ripley Village Council included the swearing in of two members. William Taylor and Tiffany Regenstein began their terms to serve Ripley Village. Mayor Tom Leonard also begins his next term as the mayor of Ripley.

Committee assignments remain the same for council members and Charles Poole was named vice mayor of the Village of Ripley.

Village Administrator Pete Renshaw also announced a project for fiscal year 2017 for paving on US 52. The Village is also looking into a problem with manganese in the water. The Village is also adding two supplemental wells for the three already serving the village.

Ripley Village also passed temporary expenditures for the next year after much discussion. After assuring some members on council the expenditures were not set in stone, the measure passed.

Moving forward, Village Council will seek to replace Sidwell. After her official resignation in February, they will have 30 days to replace her. If Council cannot agree on a replacement within 30 days, it will be up to Leonard to replace Sidwell on council.

Council meetings are scheduled 6:30 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.

William Taylor and Tiffany Regenstein were sworn in by Village Solicitor Rachel Triplett.
https://www.ripleybee.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_IMG_9953.jpgWilliam Taylor and Tiffany Regenstein were sworn in by Village Solicitor Rachel Triplett. Brian Durham | Civitas Media

Roberta Sidwell announced her resignation from Ripley Village Council this past week. She served as a council person for the Village of Ripley for 16 years.
https://www.ripleybee.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_IMG_9957.jpgRoberta Sidwell announced her resignation from Ripley Village Council this past week. She served as a council person for the Village of Ripley for 16 years. Brian Durham |Civitas Media

By Brian Durham

bdurham@civitasmedia.com

Reach Brian Durham at 937-378-6161 or on Twitter @brianD1738.