Mayor presides, Ramick departs
The Hot Springs Board of Directors welcomed a new member and said farewell to a departing one Tuesday night.
Mayor Pat McCabe presided over his first board meeting since being sworn in April 26. The board appointed him to serve the balance of former Mayor Ruth Carney’s second term, which runs through the end of next year. She resigned March 10.
McCabe said he has attended three official functions since being sworn-in, including one several hours after taking the oath. This week he appeared at a youth reception at the Webb Community Center and The Waters Hotel’s open house.
“I want to thank the board for their support,” he said at the close of Tuesday night’s meeting. “A lot of good things are going on in a number of areas, and I’m certainly happy to be back and part of it.”
Tuesday night was District 5 Director Rick Ramick’s last board meeting. Hours after McCabe was sworn in, Ramick announced his resignation effective at midnight Wednesday. He concluded his tenure by thanking his fellow directors and the city’s staff for their support.
“Thank you so much for having my back,” he said. “I’ve had so many people come to me and wish me well and tell me they’re sad I’m leaving.”
Ramick’s resignation letter alluded to the April 21 bomb threat at his real estate office. Following the incident, he told The Sentinel-Record he believed it was connected to the calls for his resignation that had been gathering since August. Protesters began picketing his office last month.
The protesters questioned his residency qualification after Ramick purchased a home in 2015 located in an area the board annexed the following year. Litigation challenging the annexation has prevented the area from becoming part of the city, and protesters have maintained that Ramick doesn’t live at the city address he listed with the city clerk’s office.
“Citizens of Hot Springs need to know that a few detractors do not take away from work that this board does and the city does,” Ramick said in his closing remarks. “You should be proud to be represented by these people, and they’re going to take care of you. Everything is looking up.”
Ramick was appointed to the board following Bill Edwards’ death in June 2008. He finished third behind Karen Garcia and Glenn Gallas in a close race for District 5 during the November 2010 election and ran unopposed in 2014 after Garcia elected to run for state treasurer.
McCabe thanked Ramick for his service.
“We sat next to each other for the better part of four years,” McCabe said, referring to his previous tenure as a city director. “I know you always came prepared and provided wise counsel for the staff and the board. You’ll be missed, but we understand your decision and thank you for your commitment to the community.”
Assistant City Manager/ City Clerk Lance Spicer said the board will convene a special-called meeting to declare the District 5 position vacant following next week’s agenda meeting. The board will also approve a schedule for appointing a replacement to serve the balance of Ramick’s term, which runs through next year.
The appointee and McCabe will both be eligible to run for election to their respective board positions next year.
A cycling enthusiast, McCabe used his new platform to promote bicycle safety. He’ll be participating in Visit Hot Springs’ May 26 Slow Roll. Cyclists will ride down Park Avenue to Whittington Avenue and then on to the farmers market for Food Truck Friday.
“I only ask that you wear a helmet,” McCabe said. “I’m real big on safety, and when I see people riding without a helmet it just scares the daylights out of me. You only have one head. Please don’t go out without a helmet, and make sure you have a good helmet.”