Big Sandy mayor gives heartfelt but unexpected goodbye

BIG SANDY — Earlier this week, KETK received word that Big Sandy mayor Wayne Weese was resigning with more than a year left to go in his term.

So tonight we went over to the Big Sandy City Council meeting where he made his announcement to a crowd that...hated to see him go.

Mayor Weese says he's been in Big Sandy city government for the past 10 years, mayor for 5 of those.

But he believes mayors of small towns need to either be independently wealthy or retired.

So he said it's been difficult to juggle his duties in the city and his full time job.

He tells KETK as he's had to cancel more and more appointments as mayor, he has been thinking about stepping down for the past few months.

"It's my feeling that me not being able to get out and solicit more...is a hindrance to this town.   And I'm hoping the next person is elected will be a person that will have that time," Weese said. 

The mayor says he won't be stepping down until after the upcoming election this spring.

Several of the folks we spoke with tonight described him as a "good man."

And the most productive mayor they've had in a while.

Weese says he's had a lot of fun as mayor.  So when he retires, he may give it another go.