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Saying that he provides the information "with a heavy heart," Legislature Chair Mike Lane relayed to his colleagues Tuesday a message from Legislator Kathy Luz Herrera (D-District 2) regarding her resignation from the Legislature, effective September 16.

Lane said, "When we lose a member of our Legislature, it is as if there is an empty hole in our team."  He praised his departing colleague for representing her district to the best of her ability and added, "I know we are going to be sorry to lose her."

Tompkins County Legislator Nate Shinagawa (D-4), representative for Ithaca’s Collegetown and Commons neighborhoods, also announced Wednesday that he is resigning from the County Legislature effective immediately and establishing residence in Fall Creek. Shinagawa said that he will run in the special election to fill the vacancy in the 2nd District caused by Herrera’s resignation.

"For the past ten years on the Legislature, I’ve listened closely to City residents and learned so much about what people love, and also want to see positively change, in Ithaca," said Shinagawa, "With their help, I’ve successfully worked for affordable housing, living wage jobs, law enforcement accountability and sustainable, community-driven growth. I’d like to continue this work for the next two years while I fulfill the remainder of Kathy Luz Herrera’s term."

On Wednesday Anna Kelles, a Fall Creek homeowner and founder of the Dewitt Park Neighborhood Association, announced her candidacy to fill Herrera's seat in the 2017 election.

"This morning I am officially announcing my intention to run for the recently vacated (as of last night) Tompkins county legislator seat for District 2," Kelles said in a press release Wednesday.  "This is not the timeline I was expecting since Ms. Herrera is stepping down early but it has been my intention to run in the next election for some time now."

Kelles and Shinagawa will face off in the November 3 election.

In her message to her legislative colleagues, Luz Herrera said, "Many of you know that personal and family medical issues have taken their toll on me, and I think it best for the Legislature and community that I resign to spend time with my family.  I will miss you all terribly.  I will miss the camaraderie, the debates, the learning, the persuading, and the sincerity that you bring to every decision.  Public service is certainly a calling, and I am proud to say that I served with a group so talented and so committed."
 
As required by the County Charter, since the resignation has occurred before September 20, the special election to fill the unexpired term must be held concurrent with the General Election November 3.  Chair Lane has called a special meeting of the Legislature for Thursday, September 17 at 5:00 p.m. for the Legislature to formally set the special election date.

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