Changes In Odessa Town Government Due To Resignation Of Longtime Mayor

File photo left to right: Harvey Smith (new mayor), Betts Jackson, John Freeman, and Kathy Harvey (former mayor).

The Town of Odessa has reorganized due to the resignation of longtime mayor Kathy Harvey and Harvey Smith is the new mayor. Recently the town cancelled a special election to fill the remaining mayoral term as Smith was the only candidate to file before the deadline.

The resignation of mayor Kathleen Harvey was announced at the virtual June mayor and council meeting. The town announced that she resigned due to health reasons after many years of dedicated service to the Town of Odessa. Council member Harvey Smith was appointed acting mayor. Smith is now officially mayor after the cancellation of the special election scheduled for July 30 and will serve the remainder of Harvey's term through April 2021.

Earlier this year, the town cancelled their council election for the terms of Betts Jackson and John Freeman plus the remainder of Lindsay Rice's term after his resignation last year. Jackson and Freeman were the only candidates to file. Currently, the council is two members short with the council seats that expire in April 2021 are currently not filled.