Whitehall City Council President Thomas Potter resigning from council

Whitehall City Council President Thomas Potter has introduced that he’ll resign from his place as a result of he’s relocating to Columbus.

The announcement from Potter got here throughout City Council’s particular committee assembly on July 14. Potter advised The Dispatch after the assembly that he bought a house in Columbus in September 2025, and that he would not be a professional elector within the metropolis of Whitehall.

Potter stated he bought a house in Columbus as a result of he retired final 12 months, and plans to spend the remainder of the time touring together with his spouse. He stated the present residence they’ve on Shady Lane in Whitehall requires an excessive amount of maintenance, and he wouldn’t be capable of journey as often as he plans to whereas upkeeping the property.

Potter stated he and his spouse bought a rental in a group that higher matches their retirement life-style. He stated he would’ve most well-liked to remain in Whitehall, however the kind of housing that they are on the lookout for to suit their life-style is not accessible within the metropolis.

“I love [Whitehall]. I’ve been here 40 years, and we’ve had phenomenal memories,” Potter stated.

Potter emphasised that his resignation had nothing to do with the latest failed recall effort that focused town’s mayor and two council members.

Potter has served on City Council relationship again to 1994, when he represented town’s Ward 3. He served three phrases: from 1994 to 1995, 1998 to 2001, and 2003 to 2003. He started his present time period as Council President in 2020.

Potter’s final day will likely be July 21. Council Pro Tem Larry Morrison will take the helm as President till remaining City Council members appoint a substitute, which should occur inside 30 days, in line with the Whitehall City Charter. Vacancies will likely be full of a majority vote from the council members.

If the emptiness just isn’t crammed inside 30 days, the mayor could have the accountability to nominate a substitute for the unexpired time period. Whoever is appointed will maintain workplace for the unexpired time period till a successor is elected.

Reporter Shahid Meighan could be reached at smeighan@dispatch.com, at ShahidMeighan on X, and at shahidthereporter.dispatch.com on Bluesky.