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She won't run again, but will she serve?

Dottie Reeder might say yes if asked to finish her unexpired term as mayor.

By ANNE LINDBERG
Published November 12, 2006

Dottie Reeder will attend Tuesday's council meeting, same as she has for the past 11½ years.

But this time the former mayor will be a member of the audience, watching the council select her replacement. The new mayor will serve until March, when voters will choose a permanent successor.

It won't be Reeder.

Reeder, who resigned last Tuesday to make what turned out to be an unsuccessful bid for the state House District 51 seat, said she will not run again in March.

"I think it's time for a new mayor," Reeder said Wednesday.

Reeder did leave open the possibility that she might say yes should a council member nominate her to fill out the remainder of her term.

"My assumption was that will not happen," Reeder said. "I probably don't know what I would do."

It's time to step back and reflect, she said.

Reeder lost the state House race by 554 votes to Janet Long, a former Seminole City Council member.

Council member Jimmy Johnson, who is running for mayor in the March election, said he had not considered the possibility that someone would nominate Reeder to fill out her term.

"I don't think it's going to happen, but I would not rule out the possibility," Johnson said.

"I would strongly argue against that. When a person resigns, they resign."

Johnson said his only prediction about Tuesday's meeting was that it will be "interesting."

"I have no idea what's going to happen," he said. "I'm anxiously looking forward to Tuesday night to see what will happen."

Reeder agreed with that, saying, "It will be interesting to see."

If such a nomination is made, Reeder might find it awkward to say "yes" after the teary farewell she made at the last council meeting.

Among her farewell comments at that meeting:

"While my heart weighs heavy as I step down from my term as mayor, I have a renewed optimism as I look to the future. ...In the new opportunities that may lie ahead for me personally, it will be my mission and commitment to continue to stand up for you. I have a passion for our community, and I will work every day to put that passion to good use."

Reeder thanked residents for the honor to represent them.

The city is sponsoring a farewell gathering for Reeder just before the 7 p.m. council meeting.

The gathering, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., will be in the courtyard outside the City Hall, 7464 Ridge Road.

It's designed to give people a chance to thank Reeder for her years of service. The event is open to the public.

[Last modified November 11, 2006, 19:45:32]