Mapleton mayor to resign

MAPLETON — Citing health concerns, Mapleton Mayor Dean Allan announced Tuesday he will resign from office effective July 1.

In a letter given to members of Mapleton's City Council, Allan said health problems have limited his ability to fulfill his assignments and that it was "only fair" that he resign.

"I have five or six doctors working on me, and they can't seem to come to the source of the problem so I really can't be more definitive than that right now," Allan said Wednesday. "It's just been one thing after another, and I figured I'd better step aside because I haven't been able to fulfill my assignments the way I would like to."

Allan said he thought he overcame a bout with a form of anemia about seven years ago, but it appears to have returned, along with a number of other problems that have not yet been diagnosed.

The downward turn in his health came as a surprise to Allan, who said he felt fine and able to serve another four years when he won re-election last November.

"I want to thank the citizens and (city) staff for their support," he said. "They've been great to work with, and I'm sorry to bow out this way."

By state law, the City Council has 30 days from the date the mayor leaves office to appoint a replacement. The replacement will hold office until the next municipal election in November 2007.

Mapleton City Administrator Bob Bradshaw said if one of the council members does not want the position, the council will accept applications from the public.

That decision will be made at the next City Council meeting on June 21 at City Hall, 25 W. Community Center Way.

Bradshaw said Allan's experience would be missed.

"He has a very broad, deep experience of government matters both in Mapleton and at the county level, and that will be hard to replace," he said.

Allan said whoever takes his place needs to be sensitive in handling Mapleton's rapid growth. State officials expect the city, which now counts some 6,500 residents, to grow 20,000 by 2020.

"You just need to be slow and careful," he said. "Make sure the city is kept in its rural mode."

Mapleton City Councilman Keith Stirling, the mayor-pro tem, will handle the mayoral duties until a permanent replacement is found.

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