Why Symbol Resigned

Ed Symbol, the former City Councilor from Ward 3, resigned during Monday night's City Council meeting and announced he was seeking the Ward 3 vacancy on the Westbrook School Committee.

When asked via e-mail this morning for the reasoning behind his dais-hopping, Symbol explained he thought about resigning only after former school board member Jack Gorsuch resigned in mid-February. "I was approached by the Chair of the School committee and asked if I had an interest in filling the position," Symbol wrote.

When asked if there was an event or a series of events that instigated his resignation, Symbol playfully wrote, "[h]ave you watched the past two years of Council meetings?? :)" Then he added, "Honestly, I just have a strong desire to get back on the School Board. I have previously served with two current members and look forward to serving with the newly elected members."

Symbol was vetted by the Republican City Committee Sunday (Jack Gorsuch is a Republican) and needs to be approved by the current School Committee. Playing the role of reformer to the very end, Symbol pointed to this procedure as yet another example for why a Charter Commission should be organized in the city. "Interestingly, this process is not spelled out in any ordinance or in the City Charter. We do it this way because it has always been done this way. Just like we do most everything in Westbrook."

- John C.L. Morgan