Published: Aug. 15, 2022 at 7:33 PM EDT
GARDEN CITY, Ga. (WTOC) - The mayor of Garden City Don Bethune is resigning.
According to the Mayor, it’s for personal reasons. Bethune’s last day day is Aug. 31.
“Our priorities in life change from time to time. My priorities changed for personal reasons and I thought it was the right time for me to step down.”
He said he thought about the decision for months.
“Life goes on,” the mayor said.
In total, he served Garden City for nearly 20 years, 13 as a council member.
“I’m not a politician. I’m still not a politician just basically a concerned citizen. That’s what I did, I tried to represent the citizens of Garden City and do what’s best for them.”
He said Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Campbell won’t miss a beat stepping in as interim mayor.
“We hadn’t always seen eye to eye we agreed to disagree about things. We had a conversation and he told me and I was ready for it,” said Campbell.
Campbell said he’s not happy to see him go, but with more than 8 years serving Garden City, he said he’s prepared.
“I’m ready for the task.”
The mayor pro tem will also be the first Black mayor in the city’s history.
Campbell said: “I look forward to it, but it’s not big deal. It is a big thing, but it’s no big deal. I’m just looking forward to continuing to work with the people.”
He said if anyone knows this city it’s him, born and raised.
“Garden City what I like about us...we never have a big controversy. We agree to disagree.”
As far as his priorities, that’s to be determined.
“It’s in play and I’m sure in the future things will change and we’ll have to make other decisions, but for now...the mayor left a roadmap.”
The mayor pro tem said he should start his first day as interim mayor on September 19.
He said he would be up for the task to remain in the position permanently.
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