Councilman Bieker resigns

Springfield City Councilman Thomas Bieker resigned from his post Nov. 2, citing an ineligibility to serve on the city's governing board.

Bieker indicated in a letter to Mayor Bob Stephens that he and his wife purchased a house and moved to the location outside of city limits, making the councilman ineligible to hold his post, according to a news release.

“My colleagues on City Council have been an amazing network of support during the past few years, and I look forward to watching their continued leadership,” Bieker said in his resignation letter. “It has truly been a pleasure, and I look forward to find ways to continue my contribution to the community in the future.”

Bieker, an environmental scientist with Midwest Environmental Consultants, was elected to General Council Seat D in April 2011 with 9,490 votes, or 54.3 percent. His term ends in 2015.

“Tom has been a tireless representative of Springfield citizens and has provided invaluable assistance to council from his professional background in environmental engineering,” Stephens said in the release. “We appreciate the service and time Mr. Bieker has given to the City and wish him and his family well in their new environs."

Stephens and other council members will develop a procedure and timeline for filling the council vacancy, the release said.[[In-content Ad]]