River Heights mayor announces resignation; council appoints Councilmember Blake Wright as mayor

Mayor Jason Thompson told the River Heights City Council on Dec. 30 that he will submit a letter resigning as mayor effective when his replacement is sworn in.

“I’m going to resign my post as mayor, on, December 30 effective when my replacement is sworn in,” Thompson said, and he asked the recorder to accept a letter to that effect. He thanked council members for their service and called the departure “bittersweet.”

The council then moved to fill the vacancy. Blake Wright, who earlier was listed as a council member in attendance, was the only person whose name had been submitted for the post. The council conducted a voice vote to appoint Wright to complete the mayoral term. Multiple members voiced their assent; a roll-call vote was not recorded in the meeting transcript.

Blake Wright addressed the council briefly and said he will submit his council resignation so he can be sworn in as mayor. After the oath and procedural remarks the council adjourned until Jan. 7 or until the new mayor calls the meeting to reconvene.

No contested nomination or formal roll-call vote appears in the transcript; the appointment was made by council voice vote and the swearing-in was announced at the meeting’s close.