Ed Andrisek has resigned from the Buellton City Council, citing health reasons.
Andrisek’s departure, effective July 8, came after nearly 16 years of service on the Buellton City Council, including a year-long stint as mayor.
“We are really, really sorry to see him leave the council,” Mayor Holly Sierra said during Thursday’s council meeting. “He’s made a huge impact in Buellton. Some people are happy, some people aren’t happy. It’s kind of the way things go.
“But he really dedicated himself to the community and I’m really going to miss him.”
His time on the Buellton City Council caps a long history of dedicated public service in the Santa Ynez Valley and beyond.
He previously served four years on the Solvang City Council, including one year as mayor, and time on the board of directors of the Buellton Community Services District before the city’s incorporation.
Among Andrisek’s proudest achievements as a member of the City Council are Buellton’s acquisition of the Zaca Creek Golf Course in 2011 and his involvement fostering new civic leaders in the community,
Sierra, Vice Mayor Dave King, and Councilmember John Sanchez each noted Andrisek’s assistance and encouragement during their initial runs for office.
“I would also like to thank Ed Andrisek for his many years of service,” said King. “He approached me back in 2008 to get on the council, so I’m here because of Ed’s tutelage. I believe that he’s done an outstanding job for the city for many, many years.”
The City Council will consider filling the fifth seat at its Aug. 11 meeting, with an appointment being the likely choice since the term expires in December and will be one of two seats on the Nov. 8 election ballot.
The coucnil also could choose to leave the slot vacant until after the fall election.
This year’s election will mark the first time Buellton voters pick their council members to represent a a specific area of the city with Andrisek’s and King’s four-year terms on the ballot. Since they are district elections, only voters in those areas can vote for their council member.
The two-year term of mayor, which will continue to be chosen by voters from throughout the city, also will be on the ballot.
To see Buellton’s districts, click here. For information about the election, click here.
— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.