Health Concerns Cited As Reason For Town Council Resignations

"March 21, 2024

To the Cascade Members of the Town Council:

It has been a pleasure to serve as the Mayor for the Town of Cascade over the past several years. Unfortunately, due to some health issues, I will not be able to continue to serve as Mayor of Cascade. My apologies for the timing of this announcement, but I do not think I will be able to effectively serve the remainder of my term. I do not want to do a disservice to the town and its residents. The Town of Cascade is a great place to live, and I wish all the best to the council members. I hope they will help the town continue to prosper.

I would like to announce my retirement effective immediately.

Sincerely,

Murry S. Moore"

Cascade Mayor, Murry Moore, and the Council President, Robert "Skip" Reissing resigned from their positions with the Town Council at the end of last week. Both men have served the community many years and are highly regarded by the townspeople. Mayor Moore has served for 20 years, first as a councilman, and then as Mayor, while Councilman Reissing has served 14 years. I reached out to both men Sunday afternoon to get a statement regarding their departure.

Mayor Moore explained that he was satisfied with what he had done for the city. "The sewer and water system is done, we got new sidewalks, street improvements, and have gotten lots of grants. The city is in good shape. Whoever takes over should have a pretty easy job. I'm 85 years old and experiencing some health problems. I have macular degeneration. I think it's a good time to step down."

According to the website Questions Answered, "Macular degeneration is a vision problem that affects more than 10 million Americans. It's the leading cause of vision loss, even ahead of glaucoma and cataracts. This condition occurs when a part of your retina known as the macula sustains damage. Over time, this damage causes your vision to deteriorate slowly. Even though certain people can retain some of their vision, if you have advanced macular degeneration, you're considered legally blind, according to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation." https://www.questionsanswered.net/article/what-is-macular-degeneration?

Councilman Reissing is also proud of the council's accomplishments for the community. He said health was also the reason for his turning in his resignation. "I have Parkinson's, and lately the tremors in my hand are getting worse. Stress aggravates the symptoms. I'm looking to possibly having surgery to hopefully improve the symptoms." In his letter of resignation, dated 3/20/24, he writes:

"Due to health issues, I am writing to inform you of my decision to resign from my position on the Cascade City Council, effective 3/20/24. It's been my privilege for the last 14 years to work alongside dedicated individuals committed to improving the quality of life in Cascade. Thank you for your understanding, and I wish the entire council continued success in their efforts to better serve our community.

Robert 'Skip' Reissing"

According to the Mayo Clinic, "Although Parkinson's disease can't be cured, medications might significantly improve your symptoms. Occasionally, your health care provider may suggest surgery to regulate certain regions of your brain and improve your symptoms." https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/parkinsons-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-2037605

The Cascade Courier joins the community in thanking these gentlemen for their many years of leadership, service and dedication to Cascade, and in wishing them well in their retirement.

SO, WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Montana Code Annotated 2023 TITLE 7. LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAPTER 4. OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES Part 41. Municipal Officers in General Filling Of Vacancy

7-4-4112. 

Filling of vacancy.

(1) When a vacancy occurs in any elective office, this position is considered open and subject to nomination and election at the next general municipal election in the same manner as the election of any other person holding the same office, except the term of office is limited to the unexpired term of the person who originally created the vacancy. Pending an election and qualification, the council shall, by a majority vote of the members, appoint a person within 30 days of the vacancy to hold the office until a successor is elected and qualified.

(2) If all council positions become vacant at one time, the board of county commissioners shall appoint persons within 5 days to hold office as a city council member. The appointed city council member shall then appoint persons to any other vacant elective offices.

(3) A vacancy in the office of city council member must be filled from the ward in which the vacancy exists.