Les Abrahamson to Resign from Oak Park City Council April 30

Oak Park Heights City Councilman Les Abrahamson is resigning from his position effective April 30. He will be relocating to the Dallas, Texas area in May for his job at State Farm.

Abrahamson has served three terms on the City Council. His seat was set to be up for re-election in November 2014.

Here is the letter he submitted to Oak Park Heights Mayor Mary McComber and the City Council on March 27:

Dear Mayor McComber and City Council: 

As you may be aware, I will be relocating to the Dallas, TX area in May for my job.  Therefore, I will be obligated to resign from the City Council effective April 30^th, 2013 

It's been an honor to serve the citizens and businesses of Oak Park Heights over the last 10 years. I'm very proud of our accomplishments over this time, including our beautiful new City Hall, the resolution of the St. Croix River Crossing Project and all of the growth we experienced in our commercial district. 

I'm also extremely proud of the staff we have assembled during my time on the council. Our City Administrator, Department Heads, Staff and Consultants are all top notch public servants.  I'll miss working with all of them.

The St. Croix Valley will always be "home" for me, and I'll miss it terribly.  It's time, however, for me and my family to start a new adventure - one with warm winters.

While it will be the Council's decision on how to proceed with filling the vacancy I am creating, I would like to recommend Mr. Mike Liljegren for the position.    Mike was the next highest vote recipient in the most recent Council election and he has a long history of service to the City on the Planning Commission. I know he would be an excellent Council Member and ready to step right in.