Morris resigns as Bertram mayor

November 14, 2012, 8:00 am by Brenda Young

At the end of a lengthy regular council meeting at City Hall last night, Bertram Mayor Winnette Morris announced her immediate resignation. The decision came as no surprise to fellow council members who knew of her intent to step down after the unexpected death of her husband three months ago.

"This was going to be effective in December, but I am turning in my resignation effective immediately,” Morris said.

During a telephone interview this morning, Morris issued the following statement:

"Throughout my life, God has been very kind and merciful to me. When my husband died in August, it has been an irreplaceable loss. I have been fortunate to have friends who have rallied around and supported me. I also have amazing children, and one of my children is building a house for me outside the city limits of Bertram. Therefore, I have to step down, and I look forward to having Christmas this year in my new house. I want to thank the citizens of Bertram for allowing me the privilege of being their mayor; it has been an honor. I have had a great staff to work with, and I leave knowing the city will be in good hands with the new mayor and new council member.”

City attorney Mike Guevara outlined a number of options for council members in light of Morris’ departure, and the group unanimously appointed Mayor Pro-Tem Dickie Allen to immediately take the helm as mayor and elect a new council member to fill Allen’s seat until the elections next May.

The group called a special meeting Nov. 19 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the appointments in further detail and decide how the city should proceed.

For more on this story, see Friday’s Highlander and next Wednesday’s Burnet Bulletin.