Hannibal Mayor resigns

QUINCY (WGEM) - Hannibal Mayor James Hark has resigned effective immediately, according to Hannibal Deputy City Clerk Melissa Cogdal.

Hannibal City Councilman Stephan Franke said the email did not specify why Hark was resigning, but he said Hark will not attend Tuesday night’s city council meeting.

Cogdal read a letter from the mayor in council Tuesday night which states his reasoning.

“I have taken on additional interests and duties at my current job and will be expanding even more over the next few months and with that my availability will be less and the time to conduct the duties as mayor will certainly suffer,” Cogdal read on behalf of Hark.

Hark was first elected to the position of Hannibal Mayor in 2016. Hannibal Mayor Pro Tem Mike Dobson will stand in as mayor until a special election is called.

The Hannibal City Council had its regular meeting on Tuesday.

While this was the first meeting without Hark, it also happened to be the first meeting since a judge dismissed impeachment proceedings toward Franke.

“To tell you the truth I’m just relieved, it feels like a 20-ton piano has been lifted off my chest and beyond that and I think most importantly I’m grateful that I get to keep advocating for the people in Hannibal’s 3rd ward,” Franke said. ”And I’m excited to continue working with Charlie Philips the 4th ward councilman for greater accountability and transparency in city hall.”

Franke said moving forward, he’ll continue advocating for more transparency in Hannibal’s government.

Also discussed in council:

• Approved resolution authorizing the mayor to execute a $179,000 contract between the city of Hannibal and Bleigh Construction for the addition of a pavilion at the entrance of Sodalis Nature Preserve.
• Approved resolution authorizing the mayor to execute an approximately $8,000 deduct change order #1 for the airport runway light project.
• Approved resolution authorizing a one-year agreement for application hosting and technology support services between the City of Hannibal and Avenue Enterprise Solutions, LLC.

Copyright 2023 WGEM. All rights reserved.