Silverhill’s Tim Wilson resigns as mayor

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SILVERHILL, Alabama — After serving more than 20 years with the town of Silverhill, almost 12 years as the town’s mayor, Tim Wilson made a stunning announcement during Monday night’s council meeting that he was resigning.

After going through the town’s agenda and asking if anyone else had anything to bring before the council, Wilson announced that he had a statement to read.

“Effective April 15, I am resigning my position as mayor with the town of Silverhill,” Wilson said. “It has been my honor to serve the citizens of Silverhill and it has been my honor to serve with you (the council).”

Wilson was in the middle of his third full term as mayor after narrowly defeating former council member Shirley Stephens in the 2016 election.

A life-long resident of Silverhill, Wilson served as mayor pro-tem before being appointed to fill the vacant mayoral seat in 2007. He was elected to his first full term as mayor in 2008, retaining his seat unopposed in 2012.

A 1983 graduate of Robertsdale High School, Wilson worked for the town of Silverhill from 1983 to 1987 before going to work for the city of Robertsdale. He served as supervisor for the city’s sanitation department before being placed on medical leave.

Wayne Gruenloh broke the stunned silence, expressing the council’s appreciation for Wilson’s service for the town.

“We appreciate everything you’ve done and what you have meant to this town through the years,” Gruenloh said. “We are sad, but we understand you have to do what you feel is best for you and your family.”

Shortly thereafter, Wilson got up and left the council chambers, leaving Mayor Pro-tem Jared Lyles to conduct the remainder of the meeting.

When asked, attorney Joshua Myrick with Stankoski Myrick LLC, the law firm that represents the town in legal matters, said he did not believe that it was necessary for the council to accept Wilson’s resignation, since Wilson was an elected official.

Lyles will continue to serve the town as acting mayor until procedures are put in place and enacted to fill the mayor’s term of office, which runs through 2020.

“If you were filling a council member’s position, then I think the council could just appoint someone to fill the position,” Myrick said. “But since, it’s the mayor, I will need to research the proper procedure and let you know.”

Myrick should be able to present his findings at the next council meeting, which is scheduled for May 6.

When Alan Green resigned as mayor in 2006, the town opened the position up for nominations, from which former mayor Frankie Kucera was appointed to fill the term.

When Kucera resigned in 2007, Wilson, from his position as mayor pro-tem, agreed to accept the position as mayor. Lyles was then appointed as mayor pro-tem, after which the council voted to fill the vacant council seat.