Barnett resigns from RO Council

A longtime member of the Red Oak City Council is moving on.

Councilman Larry Barnett, who has collectively served on the council for the last 12 years announced last week he was resigning from his seat effective Feb. 15. Barnett said the decision to resign was not an easy one.

“I would have to say it’s due to personal reasons more than anything else. I would say it had nothing to do with city administrator Brad Wright or Mayor Bill Billings. I want to make that clear. I had a good working relationship with both of them and I will continue to work with them in the future. For personal reasons, I just felt like I wasn’t as effective as I wanted to be anymore,” Barnett said.

Barnett first joined the council for a term from 1996 to 2000. In mid 2011, there was a vacancy on the council following a resignation, and Barnett was appointed to the seat until the next general election. Barnett ran and was elected to a four year term, later being re-elected to his current term.

During his tenure, Barnett said there were a number of achievements he was part of that he was proud of.

“One project has to be the downtown. That ended up being about a $2 million project. I was also proud of being a part of starting the façade project. I’m pleased with what the city was able to do while I was serving on the council,” said Barnett.

In addition to serving on the council, Barnett has served on the Park Board, and the Chamber Board. Barnett talked about what he’ll miss most now that he has resigned from the council.

“I’m going to miss being involved in community functions,” commented Barnett.

While he’ll no longer be on the council, Barnett said he’ll have plenty to keep him busy in the community.

“I’m never in need of some kind of activity. We’re going to take a look at doing some more developing in the Woodland Hills area, a subdivision north of Ratliff road. I also spend a lot of time on the mower in the summer, so I’ll have plenty to do.”

It’s uncertain at this time whether an appointment will be made to fill Barnett’s seat, or if a special election will be held. Discussion on the vacancy is scheduled during the upcoming Red Oak City Council meeting Feb. 20.