Council won't let alderman rescind resignation

Alderman Joe Poshepny listened from a wheelchair Monday night as the Common Council decided that the resignation that he tried to withdraw will stand and declared that his aldermanic seat was vacant.

Any 5th District resident, including Poshepny, may now apply for appointment to serve as alderman until April, when Poshepny's term will expire.

Because of illness, Poshepny had not been able to attend Common Council meetings since mid-May. In a letter dated Aug. 13, he resigned. But less than two weeks later, he said wanted to rescind his resignation and serve the rest of his term.

Poshepny told aldermen Monday that the letter of resignation was sent by mistake by his daughter, who was helping with a myriad of matters while Poshepny was gravely ill. He told the council that resigning had been discussed, but that he never wanted to resign.

His daughter wrote the letter of resignation, and he said that he must have signed it along with other papers that were placed before him. Poshepny said he has no memory of signing the resignation letter.

If aldermen were persuaded that the letter had been sent in error, they were free to let the matter go, City Attorney Mark Blum said. But if they believed it was not a mistake, then the resignation has to stand and the city must go through its normal procedure for filling an aldermanic vacancy.

After the vote, in which only Alderman William Moore voted against declaring a vacancy, Poshepny said: "I would not have treated a follow alderman the way they treated me."

Applications will be accepted until Oct. 14 for Common Council appointment. Poshepny said he had not decided as of last night whether he will apply. He continues to recuperate in a rehabilitation facility.