The Aberdeen City Council appointed a new council member this week and saw another one resign.

Fourth Ward council member Karen Rowe resigned on Monday. At Wednesday’s meeting, former council member Alan Richrod was appointed to fill a previous vacancy. But that still leaves two openings on the council.

Richrod takes over the seat of Jerrick Rodgers, who defeated Richrod in 2017 but had resigned in April.

That leaves openings for Rowe’s position and that of Shaney Frame Crosby who resigned last month for personal reasons.

Rowe’s resignation came as a surprise to many. The small business owner was appointed to the council in 2017 after Kathi Hoder vacated her seat, and defeated challenger Janae Chhith in the 2017 general election.

“I understand that to many my resignation from City Council has come as a surprise,” Rowe told the Daily World. “I have unequivocally cherished my time spent as an avid advocate for my Ward 4 constituents, for our local businesses and most importantly, for our great City of Aberdeen.”

She continued, “My resignation is not tendered lightly or without great sadness. Unfortunately, my assertive and proactive approach to moving the city forward is not conducive to providing collaborative discussion with the city’s current leadership. At this time, I feel that my energy and efforts are much better spent on being a productive member of our small, close-knit business community.”

“Aberdeen has some very proactive, positive and forward-thinking leaders who I absolutely know have the city’s best interests at heart and I enthusiastically look forward to working with them from the perspective of a business owner and private citizen,” said Rowe. “I whole-heartedly appreciate all of the support my husband and I have received during the trying times of navigating small town politics in our great City of Aberdeen. Now however, it is time for me to be an effective leader from outside the walls of city hall to provide another Ward 4 constituent the opportunity to step up and continue to provide guidance in assisting our amazing city to flourish going forward.”

Anyone interested in serving in Rowe’s vacated Ward 4 position can send a letter of interest and resume to Mayor Pete Schave by Friday, June 26. Applications for the Ward 1 vacancy are due to Schave June 5.

There were two applicants for the Ward 5 vacancy, Richrod and Debbie Perrocini. Richrod was unanimously chosen over Perrocini at Wednesday’s council meeting.