Ruth Carney, mayor of Hot Springs since election in 2010,  (she took office Jan. 1, 2011) resigned this morning.

A city spokesman confirms the resignation, tendered about 9:30 a.m. to the city manager. It apparently didn’t include a reason for the resignation. I haven’t been able to get in touch with her yet.

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The mayor is essentially an honorary position, one of seven on the city board of directors. It carries no additional powers. I think the city board will choose someone to serve in the interim before an election. Her term expires in December 2018.

Over the years, Carney has been controversial, feuding at times with the city’s tourism industry on some of its events. She’s challenged, for example, the crowd estimates for the wildly popular St. Patrick’s Day Parade, billed as the world’s shortest and regular including celebrity parade marshals. The parade is Friday, March 17, with Ric Flair, Alfonso Ribeiro and Uncle Kracker part of the event.

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A city news release

In the near future, the Hot Springs Board of Directors will undertake an appointment process for the unexpired term. The qualifications for a member of the Board of Directors are that the individual must have been a resident of the city for at least 30 days, must be more than 21 years of age, a qualified elector of the City of Hot Springs, and reside in the jurisdiction to be represented.

The appointee will serve until a successor is elected. District Three Director and Assistant Mayor Becca Clark will preside over the board’s regular meetings until the appointment is made.

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Carney’s letter thanked the community but provided no reason for the resignation. “It has been a journey to remember,” she said.

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