Congress resigns from council

Mitchell Congress tendered his resignation from the Demopolis City Council Wednesday via a letter he turned in at City Hall at approximately 4 p.m.

“The next step is, at the next council meeting, the council will declare a vacancy in council District No. 2. We will then have 60 days to name a replacement to that,” Demopolis Mayor Mike Grayson said, pointing to the council’s responsibility to declare the seat open during its next meeting Jan. 17 at 5:15 p.m. “If we fail to do so, we will go to the governor and the governor will have 60 days to fill that spot. If that governor cannot or will not do it, then we will be forced to have a special election. We do not want to go that route simply because we do not have a special election in our budget and elections are going to run you at a minimum of $5,000.”

According to Grayson, Congress cited health concerns as his basis for tendering his resignation.

Congress won re-election during the August vote when he defeated challenger Nathan Hardy 256-146.

The current council term began Nov. 5.

Attempts to contact Congress were not immediately successful. Check back with WestAlabamaWatchman.com for more information as it becomes available.