MILT THOMAS

At last night’s Sebastian City Council meeting, Mayor Richard Gillmor stepped down from the mostly ceremonial post and was replaced by former mayor, Bob McPartlan. It wasn’t quite that simple however. The exact reasons for Gilmor’s resignation are not being publically discussed, but it may have involved his relationship with city staff. A reorganization of the council was on last night’s agenda, but Gillmor pre-empted that discussion by submitting his letter of resignation. He handed the gavel to Vice Mayor Jerome Adams, but Special Magistrate, Kelley Armitage, filling in for City Attorney Bob Ginsburg, advised the council that if they refused to accept Gillmor’s resignation, they could go on with the planned reorganization. That was done, and former mayor Bob McPartlan was elected to fill Gillmor’s remaining term until November by a 3-2 vote. The no votes were cast by Gillmor and Adams.

Gillmor will continue as city councilman and fulfill all commitments he made as mayor.

Sebastian City Council has endured several tense and divisive administrations back in 2007 and 2008 and no one on the current council wanted to see a repeat of that, so the changeover was handled smoothly.