Mike Zinn tried to make it to the end of his current term on the Great Bend City Council that ends in November.

“But, you’ve got to eat,” Zinn said Monday night. Zinn had just announced he was resigning as of the end of the meeting to take a job in Manhattan.

“I’ve learned a lot,” from listing to the needs of constituents to working on the city’s budget, he said. “I’ve learned just how hard all the city employees work. It’s a great group.”

Most people don’t realize all that has to happen behind the scenes, he said. “We’ve got good leadership.”

Zinn is leaving to become Steve Gotsche’s pro shop assistant at Colbert Hills Golf Club. 

“I appreciate your help,” said Mayor Mike Allison. “You’ve been a good council person.”

Now, the resignation leaves a vacancy on the council which has to be filled within 60 days, Allison said. The next step is to take applications for the position.

Then, Allison will form a committee to review those applicants, conduct interviews and make a recommendation. The council will then make the final approval.

Zinn served Ward I after winning in a write-in campaign in April 2015. The first ward covers the northeast corner of Great Bend east of Jefferson Street and north of Forest Avenue.