Mayor Deb Piana resigns

On July 10, in an email titled “thank you,” Deb Piana announced her resignation to the Newcastle City Council and Clerk-Treasurer Greg James. Elected in 2016, Piana was up for re-election in 2020 and had not filed to re-run for the seat prior to deadlines. 

“It has been a pleasure working with all of you and an honor to serve as the Mayor of Newcastle. Due to concerns of my residency, I regretfully give you my resignation as Mayor of Newcastle effective immediately,” Piana, the city’s first female mayor, said in the email. “Thank you for your dedication and service to our community. I know you will move forward and continue to do what is best for Newcastle.” 

In response to the email, Don Steveson, who is the council president and a mayoral candidate, called a special City Council meeting for Monday, July 27, at 6 p.m. The council will discuss how to move forward and examine its options for governance until the election Nov. 3 2020, when either Steveson or councilwoman Pam Gualtieri will be elected to take over the mayoral roll in January of 2021.