The mayor of Emmons tendered his resignation at the City Council meeting last week.

Mark Heggestad cited “personal dirty politics” as the reason for his stepping down.

“I am sorry. I can’t be a part of that,” he said.

The resignation is effective Dec. 31.

Mayor Pro Tem Imogene Opdahl becomes the mayor effective Jan. 1. She will remain the mayor through 2010. Emmons will elect a mayor in November who will take office Jan. 1, 2011.

Heggestad was not present at the meeting last Monday and left his letter of resignation with the city clerk to be read at the meeting. Opdahl said the City Council last Monday accepted the resignation and appointed her as mayor.

She said her impression of the reason for Heggestad quitting was because he is a long-haul trucker who was unable to be present for mayoral duties. The council, she said, is considering an appointment to fill the council seat now vacant following her appointment.

Heggestad, who began his term at the start of this year, said he only missed three meetings. He said he felt left out of the loop on many issues and the lack of communication was one reason he stepped down. He said a lack of respect was another.

“It’s a bad deal,” he said. “That’s all there is to it.”

Heggestad moved to Emmons in October 2001, selecting the community for its safety and school, which now is closed. He served as a councilman for four years before running for mayor in 2008. He defeated incumbent Paul Henschel by 22 votes.

He said now that he is done with Emmons politics he will focus on work and home.

“I was pleased to say I did the absolutely best job I could with the resources I had available to me,” he said.

The letter

Here is the letter Heggestad wrote to the Emmons City Council.

“To the Emmons City Council,

“I, Mark Heggestad, would like to say that I am disappointed with the fact that some individuals feel I have not done as well of a job, as they feel I should have done as your mayor. I am pleased to say that I think I tried to do the absolute best job that I could with the resources I had available to me. I have taken some time to evaluate myself, and the performance of the current council. I took everything that has happened since Jan. 1, 2009, into account in my self-evaluation. With this having been said, it’s truly hard to do to the best job possible with the lack of respect and communication that everyone deserves in this situation. I feel I was left out of the loop in several cases, as well as several matters that are important issues within the City of Emmons, purposely for personal beneficial gain for individual(s). So at this time I feel I can no longer keep myself involved in this type of behavior. I am willing to address any concerns that any individuals may have with this information that I have stated here anytime. I have to say that I am honored to have had the opportunity to serve the citizens of Emmons for the last five years. So, this leaves me with only one thing left, to ask of the current council, and that is you will accept my resignation as your mayor. I, Mark Heggestad, would like this acceptance to be effective Dec. 31, 2009.

“Respectfully yours,

“Mark Heggestad”