Longtime public servant and Alderman Danny Cherry has officially resigned from the Decatur Board of Aldermen due to ongoing health issues following a stroke he suffered earlier in his term. In a unanimous decision, the board voted to appoint his daughter, Kay Chambers, to fill the remainder of his term ahead of the upcoming election.
Cherry had been largely absent from meetings since late December due to his declining health. His daughter, Chambers, moved in with him after his stroke to provide care and support, according to Decatur Mayor Max Anderson. In recent months, she officially declared her candidacy for the alderman seat in the upcoming municipal election.
Because Chambers was the only candidate to file for the position before the deadline, and no other challengers emerged, she should be elected without opposition in June. Given the circumstances, Cherry submitted a letter of resignation, allowing the board to appoint Chambers to serve the remaining three months of his term.
“We felt it was the right thing to do,” said Anderson. “Since no one else came forward to run, and Kay was already living in the ward, it just made sense.”
Chambers' appointment ensures a smooth transition and continuity of representation for the residents of the ward.
