Evansdale City Council Appoints New Mayor

Evansdale has a new mayor.

The city council Tuesday night unanimously appointed long-time councilman Dick Dewater to fill the position through the end of 2021. Dewater will complete the unexpired term of former mayor Troy Beatty, who resigned Jan. 2.

"I'm grateful," Dewater said. "I've served on the council and I know what it's like to be on that side of the table. I've watched the other mayors, so it's a new experience to sit at the head of the table. The fact the council believes I'm confident enough is very satisfying."

Beatty was elected in November 2019 to serve a two-year term, but stepped down after one year. He has accepted a job with Amazon Logistics in Atlanta.

Dewater has occupied the Ward 4 council seat since 1997. He was appointed Mayor Pro Tem when Beatty took office in January 2020.

As one of Evansdale's longest-serving council members, Dewater believes his experience will help him as mayor.

"For one thing, I think it's going to give me that perspective that I can't say that I've seen it all, but I have seen a lot of circumstances that I have some experience with," Dewater said. "So, I don't think I'd be quite as reactionary as somebody with maybe less experience."

Dewater is in the middle of his sixth term representing the city's fourth ward, but now must resign the seat. The council will soon either appoint someone to fill the vacancy or set a date for special election.

Residents now have 14 days to petition for a special election for a new mayor, if they choose. According to City Clerk DeAnne Kobliska, the petition would require 154 signatures to get the measure on the ballot.