What many in the city have hoped for happened today, as the attorney for embattled Racine Mayor Gary Becker delivered Becker's official letter of resignation. Becker is facing criminal charges in a child porn Internet sex chat sting, and calls for his resignation had been growing. The executive committee of the Racine Common Council was scheduled to meet tonight, to consider removing Becker from office.
The tersely worded document is addressed to the common council and states: “in accordance with 17.01 of Wisconsin statutes, U resign my position as the mayor of the City of Racine, effective at 5:00 P.M., January 20th.” It's then followed by Becker's signature.
City Administrator Ben Hughes said tonight's scheduled executive committee meeting has been canceled as a result of the resignation.
The regular common council meeting tonight allows for citizen comment but there's nothing on the agenda regarding what happens next in the process of picking a new mayor, which is likely to be done with a special election. In the meantime, Council President David Maack continues to serve as acting mayor.