By By MICHELE GERLACH – Publisher
Longtime Brewton Councilman Walter O. &#8220Jake” Lewis is resigning his seat, effective March 1.
Mayor Ted Jennings announced Lewis's resignation during Tuesday night's council meeting, reading a Feb. 8 letter in which Lewis cited health problems as the reason for his decision.
Lewis, who was last able to attend a council meeting about a year ago, was serving his third term on the Brewton City Council. He served on the city water board for more than 25 years.
Educated at Tuskegee Institute, where he earned degrees in building construction and masonry, Lewis is a former city policemen, and worked for Hines Realty and the Country Club of Brewton. He also served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves. He is a member of Zion Fountain AME Church. He and his wife, Jewell, are the parents of three children, Kimmii D. Felder, Walter D. Lewis and the late Gail D. Lewis.
Jennings said Lewis will be missed at the council table.
The council has 60 days following the effective date of Lewis's resignation, March 1, to appoint a new councilman for District 4, according to state law. If the council did not make the appointment during that time, the decision would be made by the governor, who would have 90 days to make an appointment. In the event that the governor failed to make an appointment, a special election would be called.
Jennings said he is &#8220confident” the city council will select someone.
In other business, the council: