Page 13 - Wayne Dispatch Pages

Councilman Porter resigns from Wayne City Council

By Sarah Shurge Porter not only battled with can-
After seven and a half years of cer, but he also battled with making
serving the community, Mayor Pro a decision on whether or not to re-
Tempore Tom Porter, resigned from main on the council.
his seat on City Council on Tuesday, “My wife is my rock. She has
June 20th. Effective Wednesday, taken care of me for three years and
June 21st, his resignation was final when I was down, she kept me up.
and official. She kept me on the council for as
“I have put off this day as long as long as I was,” said Porter. “I didn't
I possibly could,” said Porter. “I'm feel like my job was done yet, but I
sorry I have to leave Council at this felt like I couldn't serve like I needed
time, but my health says I cannot to anymore. I couldn't concentrate
serve you, my constituents, with the on what I needed to do. I could only
hard work you deserve from a mem- concentrate on myself.”
ber of council.” Realizing he needed to step away
Council members had nothing to focus on his health, Porter made
but kind words for Porter upon his the difficult decision to resign from
resignation announcement during the council. The council members
the council meeting on Tuesday and and community showed nothing but
they all supported the motion, but support for his decision.
with regret. “It makes me want to cry, to tell
“Very sad to see you go but I un- you the truth,” said Porter. “I’ve al-
derstand. Your health comes first. ways tried to the best of my ability to
Your family comes first. And I know do the best I could. Everyone is pray-
this is not a decision that you’ve ing for me. It’s overwhelming.”
made lightly,” said Wayne Mayor Mayor Pro Tempore Tom Porter resigned from his seat on City Council. A Facebook page was created to
John Rhaesa at the council meeting. Navy, Porter played a significant role Porter began the chemotherapy share news of Porter’s health and up-
“You’ve served this community with in the City of Wayne Veterans’ Memo- process and experienced horrible dates. You can find that on Facebook
great pride and have been very sup- rial project. side effects. One form of chemo low- by searching “Team Porter.”
portive and have always given your “It’s where my wife and I chose to ered his blood pressure. Another ir- “My heart is always with the com-
best through some really, really try- live. We fell in love with the city and ritated his skin when in sunlight. munity. I love our city and all of the
ing times that we’ve been through.” wanted to help and make it better if Another left him in the hospital for proud residents that make this their
Porter joined the City Council in I possibly could,” said Porter. “Bon- 16 days with a fever. After trying six home. No matter what the future
November 2015. nie and I made this our home 33 different types of chemo, one finally holds, I will love this city and its res-
“I went to quite a few council years ago and have done what we worked and his lymphoma is in re- idents and hold you close to my
meetings for the first 15 years I lived could to make this a good place to mission. heart, forever,” said Porter. “Thank
here in Wayne,” said Porter. “We did- live and to raise a family. I wish we “It’s just a huge struggle that any- you for everything you all have done
n't need the same people, we needed could have done more, but it was not one that has cancer has to face. It’s while I was on City Council and a res-
new people and a new outlook. because we didn't try.” [lymphoma] a cancer that you don't ident of this city. I’m here to help the
That's exactly what we got. The cur- In 2020, Porter was diagnosed really look that bad, so no one under- city, that's my main objective.”
rent administration has done a great with stage 4 lymphoma cancer stands how much pain you have or On behalf of the City Council, City
job and the council has tried to keep throughout his entire body including how bad you feel,” said Porter. “It’s Administration, and the entire com-
the finances under control.” his lungs, liver, stomach, and neck. been a difficult struggle but I refuse munity, we want to express our sin-
Finances were a huge part of why After receiving an echocardiogram, to give up. I’ll be 80 years old in a cerest gratitude to Mayor Pro
Porter joined the council, however, he was also informed that his heart couple of days. You can fight this no Tempore Tom Porter for his excep-
being a Veteran of the United States was not functioning properly. matter what.” tional service.

The Wayne Dispatch · July 2023 · 13