Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
JENNIFER FARRELLCommissioner Whitney Gray is leaving for Fort Myers where her husband has gotten a new job.
CLEARWATER - City Commissioner Whitney Gray, a popular incumbent mulling a future run for mayor, announced Thursday she will resign at the end of the year and move to Fort Myers, where her husband has taken a new job.
Gray, a former teacher who grew up in Clearwater, broke down during halting and emotional remarks saved for the end of a City Commission meeting.
"I have greatly enjoyed serving," she said.
Afterward, fellow commissioners and city staff lined up to hug Gray, who must trash invitations printed for a party Monday to kick off her planned campaign for re-election. Gray's commission seat expires in March 2004 and, last month, she filed paperwork to seek a second term.
On Thursday, Gray, 41, said her husband has been searching for work for a year, and the new opportunity came up suddenly. "Just when you least expect, is when it happens," she said.
Gray is known for her common sense, quick wit and knack for building consensus.
News of her resignation shocked her colleagues and city staff.
"We're going to miss her," said City Manager Bill Horne. "I'm just at a loss for words."
Said Mayor Brian Aungst: "She's an outstanding public servant that will be impossible to totally replace... Hopefully,she'll be back someday."
Gray told her fellow commissioners and top city staff privately at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, a half hour before the commission meeting.
Her resignation, she said, will be effective Dec. 31.
City attorney Pam Akin said the commission may or may not appoint an interim replacement, depending on the date Gray leaves office. The commission has 30 days after she leaves to fill the vacancy. If no replacement is named, a special election must be held within 60 days. But since there is already an election scheduled in March, it is possible the regular election could count, Akin said.
In the past, the commission has opted to fill vacancies with interim appointments, said Akin. But none has ever been for such a short time period. Conceivably, said Akin, the five-member commission would only be down one person for four meetings.
Gray said she will remain active and involved until she leaves.
"I love this job," she said. "I will greatly, greatly miss doing this."
Gray's husband, Kurt, will run physical therapy clinics in and around Fort Myers. The couple and their three children plan to move at the end of the year.
Gray said a large part of her decision came down to finances and she hasn't decided whether or not to seek public office in her new home.
"God takes you places for a reason," she said. "There must be something I'm supposed to do down there."
- Jennifer Farrell can be reached at 445-4160 or farrell@sptimes.com