y PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Wanted: A new Marion city council member to fill the unexpired term of Melissa Mermis.

Mermis resigned her post Monday, citing a job change. She did not attend the council meeting.

“Over the last several weeks, the community has afforded me much appreciated support and understanding as my responsibilities in my career have changed,” Mermis wrote in her letter of resignation. “I apologize that this change in career path has led to the disruption of the extremely important work of city leadership in solving problems.”

Mayor Todd Heitschmidt said Mermis has taken a job at a Wichita hospital.

She was appointed to fill Heitschmidt’s unexpired council term when he was elected mayor. Two years later Mermis was formally elected to the council.

“Mrs. Mermis has served our community with absolute dedication and commitment since 2014,” Heitschmidt wrote in a press release handed out at Monday’s council meeting. “She has led our community through the celebrations and challenges in a manner that consistently exhibited her values and respect for all the citizens of Marion.”

City officials are now looking for a qualified candidate to complete the rest of Mermis’s term, which expires in November 2019.

“In the interest of balance on the council, a female candidate would be appreciated,” Heitschmidt said.

Political experience is not necessary, but business or management experience would be helpful for understanding the council’s processes, he said.

The biggest qualifications are concern and passion for the community and willingness to work toward the future needs of Marion, he said.

“Maybe the decisions we’re making today don’t seem to have impact, but they look toward the future,” Heitschmidt said.