Winnebago has a new mayor.
An hour after Mayor Scott Robertson asked those in attendance to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance at 7 p.m. before the start of Tuesday’s meeting, Council member and Vice-Mayor Jean Anderson was sworn into office by City Attorney David Frundt.
Robertson, who is facing four felony charges related to cultivation of cannabis plants in the city, submitted a letter of resignation with a prepared statement.
Wearing a black shirt, black pants, and a black and red striped tie, Robertson sat in the mayor’s seat and said it was with great sorrow and reluctance to read his statement.
“Going forward, I don’t want to be a distraction for the city of Winnebago and our community as I resolve some matters that have gained significant attention,” he says.
Robertson says his decision to step down wasn’t an easy one, but he, his wife and family believe it was the right thing to do.
During his many years of service on the council, committees and as mayor, he says there’s been much work and dedication to make the city not only prosper but to merely survive.
“I have invested time, labor, thought and a whole lot of money of my own to make Winnebago — the place I love, the place where I was born, the place where I’ll die,” he says.
Robertson says he’s been tried in the court of social media and blogs, but despite some detractors there are really good people in the city and he appreciates the support they have given him and his family.
Many years ago he and other city leaders came up with a motto, he says, in an effort to breathe some life into the Chamber of Commerce and it is still used today, “Small Town, Big Heart!”
“Please, please, try to keep that in your mind and in your heart going forward,” he says. “I have appreciated my years of service and I’m sorry that it comes to a close in this manner. Please accept my sincere apology.”
At the end of his statement, Robertson handed the gavel to Vice-Mayor Jean Anderson to conduct the meeting, took his name plate and walked out of the council chambers.
Later in the meeting, council members passed a resolution to accept Robertson’s resignation and create a vacancy for the seat.
Anderson, whose 11 years on the council is the most among the four members, expressed interest in being mayor.
Council members voted unanimously to appoint Anderson to fill the vacancy and also accepted her written letter to resign from the council.
Anderson will serve the remainder of Robertson’s second two-year term, which ends Jan. 1, 2025.
The council plans to advertise to fill Anderson’s four-year term council seat, which also expires Jan. 1, 2025.
An election to fill both seats will need to be held during the Nov. 4 general election.