Alderman Lichtie Resigns from the Waukesha City Council

Alderman Charles Lichtie resigned Wednesday from the Waukesha Common Council.

Lichtie, who represents District 12, made the announcement in a letter to Mayor Jeff Scrima.

Lichtie said in a phone interview Thursday that he was leaving his aldermanic post – a position he held for seven years – because of a back injury he sustained more than three years ago. The pain has become worse, he said, and is starting to affect his work.

"I just feel that as an alderman you should be able to give it 100 percent," Lichtie said.

That doesn't mean the District 12 alderman is going away. He still plans on contributing to the local artist scene. But city business?

"I just feel it time to hang it up," Lichtie said. "... I guess it is time to hang up the spurs and carry on."

Additionally, Lichtie confirmed his decision to leave the Common Council was not because of the recent political drama between Scrima and the council.

"It is strictly because of my health," Lichtie said.

Scrima responded by announcing Lichtie’s replacement would be appointed by the Council on March 1 for a term that would end April 1, 2012. An election then will be held to finish out the three-year term, which ends in 2013. 

City residents who live in District 12  who would like to be considered can send a letter and resume to the Office of the Mayor, City Hall, 201 Delafield St., Waukesha, WI 53188 or by email to: jscrima@ci.waukesha.wi.us. The deadline is Feb. 25 at 4:30 p.m.

The Waukesha Police Department will conduct background checks on all applicants to determine whether any criminal convictions exist that would disqualify them from filling the seat.

The Common Council will interview applicants for the seat on March 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. Council members will then vote on the appointment through closed ballot.

Common Council President Paul Ybarra said that Lichtie took it to heart when a car accident at Waukesha West High School rocked the community.

"He really jumped on that. It was his work that pushed that stoplight through," Ybarra said. "That is the kind of stuff that he did. He took the local stuff that was important to his district and worked it hard."