Maria Maxham was absent from the last village council meeting on Oct. 13, and the village clerk did not say her name during roll call, as is typical when a commissioner misses a meeting.
Earlier that day, Maxham posted on her Facebook page that she resigned as commissioner of accounts and finance and would no longer pursue running for Forest Park mayor in the April 6 election.
“Deeply personal family matters demand my full attention and, after careful reflection and discussion with my family, we have agreed that stepping back from public life is the right decision at this time,” Maxham wrote on Facebook. “Serving the residents of Forest Park has been one of the greatest honors of my life, and there are not enough words to express thanks for everyone who has supported me. I ask for privacy during this time.”
Maxham told the Review she was running for mayor earlier this month. Oct. 26 is the last day for mayoral candidates to file nomination papers with their candidacy statement and signed petition sheets.
Commissioner Ryan Nero mentioned Maxham’s resignation during his commissioner’s comment at the Oct. 13 meeting.
“Obviously, there’s a vacancy right here. I learned not too long ago that Commissioner Maxham submitted her resignation as commissioner here in town, as well as hung up her [hat] and terminated her mayoral [campaign]. I was quite surprised by that. Being an elected official can bring a lot of stress during your campaign, and certainly while you’re up here as an elected official,” Nero said. “I enjoyed serving with Maria, and I wish her and her family all the best.”
“I also want to thank Commissioner Maxam for her service to our village,” Commissioner Michelle Melin-Rogovin said during her commissioner’s comment. “I’ve served with Commissioner Maxam for the last four years, and I think everyone who steps up to serve the village in public office deserves respect, and everyone here wants to contribute and make the village a better place for all of us. I’ve respected her work, appreciated her commitment to public service, I’ve appreciated working with her, and send her and her family all my best. I’ll be reaching out to her soon to express my personal appreciation.”
During her comment, Commissioner Jessica Voogd said: “I too was shocked, as I’m sure many of you were, to hear that Commissioner Maxim has resigned. I’m sure this was an incredibly difficult decision to make. I hope she receives the privacy she had requested, and I wish her and her family well.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.