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Public Comments - Media

Mayor decides to resign
Polk County Itemizer-Observer
November 20, 2002

Evans pleased with his four years

Tom Henderson
November 20, 2002

MONMOUTH -- Paul Evans doesn't know where he will be in a couple of weeks.

Since terrorists attacked New York City and the Pentagon, he has been to New Mexico, Washington, Idaho, Utah and Nevada as a captain with the Air National Guard.

Being the mayor of Monmouth during the same time has been a chore. Nonetheless, Evans has perservered.

Now, he said, it's time to step down.

Evans will resign as mayor Tuesday, Dec. 3. Joe Presler, the council president and acting mayor will be the mayor of Monmouth until Mayor-elect Larry Dalton takes over in January.

Presler has been doing a fine job as acting mayor, Evans said. He added that he wanted Presler to have the chance to be the full-fledged mayor -- at least for a few weeks.

"This way, Joe can have full rein," Evans said.

Evans said he is leaving office with no ill feelings. "I'm very pleased with the results of the November election," he said.

"I wanted the service fee to pass but people didn't get out and work for it."

Monmouth voters rejected keeping an additional $9.95 monthly fee on their utility bills. The fee was imposed in July to keep the city's park and recreation department alive and avoid deep cuts in the police department, public library and other local services.

Evans said local residents will need to make hard decision about what they want versus what they need as well as come up with responsible funding methods.

Evans said he is glad to see that Monmouth's dry law was repealed. In four years, he said, downtown should be reaping the benefits of beer and wine sales.

Being mayor in the wake of the terrorist attacks has been difficult, Evans said. "I told the council from the beginning I would do the best with managing my military obligations while fulfilling a useful function as mayor."

Evans said he was able to play a role on some projects while on active duty. "There were too many balls in the air."

Next September marks Evans' second full year on active duty. He doesn't know what will happen after that. "I could serve shorter or longer."

He has spent most of his duty working on internal national security issues. If America goes to war with Iraq, Evans said he wants to play a more direct role.

Whatever orders come, however, he will salute smartly and do what he is told.

"I certainly believe in the cause. The world is a dangerous place. It has probably always been a dangerous place, but it has gotten even more dangerous."

Evans said he is pleased with what he has accomplished during his four years as mayor. On his watch, the Monmouth Legacy Forest started and a number of new volunteers got involved with city government.

"I really enjoyed being mayor," Evans said.

"But part of life, part of maturity, is learning to deal with the curve balls. This is obviously where I'm supposed to be right now."