Great Bend Second Ward City Councilman Wayne Henneke resigned his position on the council Wednesday morning.

In an email to fellow council members Wednesday evening and obtained by the Great Bend Tribune, he said “I turned in my resignation this morning.” 

He released the following statement Thursday morning: “I have had the privilege to work in City Government from 1974 – 2012. With the last job with the City of Great Bend as finance director/city clerk from 1996-2012. I have been on the City Council since 2013.

“With the turmoil in the city such as it is, and the city administrator resigning. I do not need or want the stress. I am resigning my position effective immediately.”

He retired in December 2012 after working as city clerk/finance director for Great Bend. First elected to the council in 2013, he was reelected in 2015.

His seat was up for reelection this November, but he is not running. Candidates for the seat include Rachel E. Mawhirter, Matt Suchy and Jolene Biggs.

According to the city’s website, the governing body is made up of the mayor, who is elected by the city at large, and eight council members, two elected from each ward of the city. All serve two-year terms. Only one council member from each ward is elected at a time.

Joel Jackson is the other Ward 2 council member and this seat is not on the ballot this year.