Herb Atchison, who has been mayor of Westminster for nearly eight years, announced Monday night that he was stepping down from his position “upon the recommendation of my physician.”
His resignation, which took effect at the end of Monday’s city council study session, came less than a week after Westminster confirmed that enough signatures had been submitted to trigger recall elections against both Atchison and Councilman Jon Voelz.
Westminster residents behind the recall effort are upset over what they say are the city’s high water rates. The council will suggest possible dates for the recall election of Voelz next week.
In an interview with The Denver Post on Tuesday, Atchison said the recall election was “not a deciding factor” in his decision to step down. It was an ongoing health issue.
“My health issue is a private issue,” said Atchison, 74.
Petition signatures gathered to recall two other council members — Anita Seitz and Kathryn Skulley — were insufficient, the city determined last week. Seitz, as mayor pro tem, is now acting mayor and will be sworn in Monday for a seat she’ll have to defend in the November election.
Before being elected mayor, Atchison served two terms as a Westminster councilman starting in 1997 before being term-limited. His term as mayor would have expired in November.
As for future plans, Atchison said he hasn’t gotten that far.
“I plan to stay here, where my home is,” he said.
