Jamestown Mayor Nick Shearer has announced his upcoming resignation.
Shearer, who has served as Jamestown Mayor for the last seven years, cited a career change as leading to the resignation, which will be effective Jan. 1, 2022.
Shearer, who formerly worked at the Bank of Jamestown, will be taking over as the Executive Director of the Lake Cumberland Community Action Agency, a private, non-profit community-based organization serving Adair, Casey, Clinton, Cumberland, Green, McCreary, Pulaski, Russell, Taylor, and Wayne counties.
“My new position will give men an opportunity to help so many people in the 10 counties I will be serving,” Shearer wrote in a resignation letter. “This mission is very close to my heart.”
Shearer said he is proud of what has been accomplished in the City of Jamestown during his tenure as Mayor.
“Being your mayor has been a joy and an honor,” Shearer said. “I am proud of what we have accomplished together. I believe that over the last seven years, we have grown in several ways, the most important being that we grew in hope and compassion. My prayer is that when people look back over my time as mayor, they will see these years as a time of unity and a renewed spirit of cooperation and love for our city.”
With the resignation, the Jamestown City Council will be in charge of selecting a new mayor to finish out Shearer’s term. The council has 30 days from the resignation of the mayor to fill the position. If it is not filled within that 30-day period, the Governor appoints someone to fulfill the role of mayor.
The council can choose anyone that fulfills the requirements to be mayor, which is to be a minimum of 21 years old and a resident of the City of Jamestown for at least one year, as well as being a qualified voter in the city.
In his letter, Shearer asked for support and encouragement for the council as they select a new mayor.
“Please show them your support and encouragement and pray for the person who will take up this position of leadership for our city,” Shearer said.
Shearer said serving as mayor has been one of the highlights of his life.
“Thank you for electing me and trusting me to lead our city,” Shearer said. “I love Jamestown. I love our history, our stories, and the work we have accomplished together. Most of all, I love who we are when we all come together – whether in common purpose, common struggle, or common joy. This is a beautiful place to call home and it has been, and will forever remain, a highlight of my life to have served you.”
To read Shearer’s full resignation letter, you can read here: Letter to Citizens of JTKY.
