MARSHFIELD – District 3 Ald. Natasha Tompkins has announced her resignation from Common Council effective in August.
Tompkins made the announcement in a June 3 Facebook post citing an upcoming move out of state, which was prompted by a change in employment.
“In April, my husband was approached about a position at a health system in Missouri,” Tompkins said in the post. “After visiting in May, it was obvious that the hospital, team and public schools are places where we could thrive.
“Even though moving is hard, I am confident this is the next step for us,” Tompkins added.
Tompkins receives recognition for service to Marshfield
Tompkins was elected April 7 to her third term representing one of the city’s 10 Common Council districts. Her district is roughly north of West Fifth Street, west of South Oak Avenue and Veterans Parkway, south of McMillan Street, and east of Larch and Lincoln avenues.
In a June 8 news release, the City of Marshfield recognized Tompkins’ efforts in “numerous community discussions and initiatives during her tenure,” thanked her for her service and contributions to the community, and wished her family future success.
“We thank Natasha for her service to the residents of District 3 and the City of Marshfield,” Nick Poeschel, mayor, said in the release. “Her dedication to public service and her commitment to the community have been greatly appreciated. We wish Natasha, her husband, and their family all the best as they begin this next chapter.”
Tompkins and her family, which also includes five children, moved to Marshfield from Xining, Qinghai, China, 11 years ago so both she and her husband could work at Marshfield Clinic, she said in her post. Her family lived in China for a total of seven years with five years spent in Xining, where she and her husband worked for a Chinese Red Cross hospital. Tompkins worked the hospital’s pediatric clinic while her husband started an infectious disease department, Tompkins said in a text to a Marshfield News Herald reporter.
Tompkins said in her post that she is sad to leave friends and family in the city, her position on the council, the residents of her district and important ongoing projects such as housing, the Weinbrenner building, police station relocation and prairie establishment. She said the city embraced her family and taught them about “generosity,” including “public generosity for everyone to enjoy.”
“Thank you, Marshfield, I love you so much. May you continue to look after each other,” Tompkins said in her post.
How will the Common Council address a vacancy?
No formal decision has yet been made as to how to fill the vacancy on the Common Council following Tompkins’ resignation, according to the city’s news release. The Common Council will consider available options and receive guidance from the city clerk and city attorney before making a decision.
State law allows municipal common councils several options for addressing a vacancy within their ranks, according to Wisconsin state statutes. Those options include appointing someone to complete the term by majority vote, making a temporary appointment until a special election, or leaving the position vacant until the next regular election.
The city said it will share more information with the public about how the Marshfield Common Council will fill the vacancy as it becomes available.
Erik Pfantz covers local government and education in central Wisconsin for USA TODAY NETWORK – Wisconsin and values his background as a rural Wisconsinite. Contact him at epfantz@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Marshfield News-Herald: Marshfield District 3 alderperson plans August resignation
Reporting by Erik Pfantz, Marshfield News-Herald / Marshfield News-Herald
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Erik Pfantz, Marshfield News-Herald | USA TODAY Network
