Former Bowie Mayor Gaylynn Burris was the lone applicant to express interest in filling the unexpired term of Mayor Bill Miller who resigned two weeks ago.
Last week, the council agreed to accept applications for those interested in the position this week, afterwhich they would be interviewed and appointed.
As the called meeting of the council was posted late Friday with interviewing and naming a mayor the only agenda items, Councilman Thomas Kent resigned his position immediately indicating it was his effort to create a double-vacancy forcing a special election in November.
Per the city charter, the council had 30 days in which to fill the vacancy or call a special election in November for the mayor’s position or any council position.
City Secretary Sandy Page said she has sent the issue of a double vacancy to the city’s attorney for a ruling which can be provided to the city council.
In his resignation, Kent said he feels this action best protects the interest of the citizens of Bowie. See his full resignation below.
Burris was named to the council in June 2017 to fill a precinct vacancy and elected mayor in November 2017. She was defeated by Bill Miller last November .
Miller had served just under six months of the two-year term. He did not offer a reason for his resignation in his letter to the council.
The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. May 18.

May 15, 2020
RE: Resignation
To: Mayor Pro Tem, Bowie City Council
Please accept my resignation as Councilor PCT 1 City of Bowie, TX effective immediately. I feel that this action best protects the interest of the citizens of Bowie, TX. By this action, it will create a double vacancy within the Council and thus mandate that these positions are filled in a Special election at the ballot box by the citizens of Bowie.
I feel strongly that no elected official that has been voted out of office by the public should be eligible to be “Reappointed to that same office” by a sitting council. They should be put back up before the people to be voted on for that office.
I hope that during the revamping of Bowie City Charter this is addressed and corrected.

Sincerely & Respectfully,

Thomas W. Kent