(WKYT) – Former London Mayor Randall Weddle’s resignation took effect Sunday following a Kentucky Court of Appeals ruling and a planned city council move to ask the attorney general to remove him. Weddle said he plans to return to private life.
With Weddle off the ballot, mayoral candidate Matt Orr will be the only name on the November ballot.
Orr addresses the city’s future
On the steps of the Laurel County Judicial Center, Orr said he wants to move past the city’s recent headlines and start a new chapter for London.
“It’s a new day. That’s my biggest message. This is a new place that we’re in now. So, take those feelings and put them on pause and let’s see what we can do together,” Orr said.
A property manager and realty businessman, Orr said he is not taking his ballot position for granted, noting a write-in candidacy is still possible. He said his focus is bringing people together in what he described as a divided community.
“I plan on reaching out to where that transition will be that much easier and people will come back together and get people in the right direction,” Orr said.
Council to appoint interim mayor
The London City Council is set to meet Monday to fill the mayoral vacancy. The person chosen will serve until a new mayor is elected in November. When asked Sunday evening whether he had discussed with council members about stepping into the role ahead of the November election, Orr deferred to the council.
“That’s their decision where to go with that — all I am looking at is hopefully everything will go in the right direction for London,” Orr said.
Orr said he has not spoken to Weddle since the former mayor announced his resignation.
Weddle declined to go on camera but said he felt he fought long and hard for what he believes was right and that he is looking forward to being a private citizen.
WKYT reached out to several members of the London City Council for comment and did not hear back.
Voters will be able to cast their ballots for London mayor on Nov. 3.