Bill Christy announces resignation from Black Mountain Town Council

Governing board to appoint replacement through November of 2024

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
September 18, 2023

Black Mountain Town Councilmember Bill Christy is stepping down from his position, citing health concerns. Christy, who was appointed to the board in 2021 and elected in 2022, announced his resignation, Sept. 18. File photo

The Black Mountain Town Council will begin the process of selecting new member, following the Sept. 13 resignation of Bill Christy.

Christy, who was initially appointed to the council in 2021 and elected in 2022, cited health concerns as he stepped down from the position.

“As some may know my current medical challenges compel me, in the interests of the citizens and in order to focus on my health, to resign from my position on the Town Council effective immediately,” he said in a letter announcing his resignation. “This is not a decision that I take lightly.”

The town council will follow the same process it did in 2021, when Christy was appointed to fill a vacancy created by the departure of Tim Raines, according to Town Manager Josh Harrold.

“This process begins with interested citizens sending in Council notice of interest forms,” Harrold said in an email announcing Christy’s resignation. “The form can be found on our website or picked up at Town Hall. All forms need to be sent to the town manager at josh.harrold@tobm.org.”

The council will appoint a new member to serve through the November 2024 election, when a replacement will be selected by voters to serve through 2026. Christy’s former position will be one of four to be determined in next year’s election.

Upon announcing his resignation, Christy, who did not attend the town council’s regular monthly meeting, Sept. 11, said he was confident the town remained “in good hands.”

“I will greatly miss working with the current Town Council  members - Pam (King), Archie (Pertiller, Jr.). Doug (Hay) and Alice (Berry) - and value the relationships that I have built, as well as working with Mayor (Michael) Sobol. I will miss working with the excellent and professional staff, most especially Josh Harrold. I am proud of the record that we have established that supports the staff with competitive pay and a positive work environment.”