Two members of College Place City Council resign; replacements sought

College Place City Council is searching for two new council members after longtime members Loren Peterson and Melodie Williams both announced their resignations.

City Administrator Troy Rayburn said Peterson decided to resign as part of his retirement, while Williams is resigning to focus on family and work.

"Everyone at the City of College Place is grateful for their years of community service and good work," Rayburn said. "They both will be missed."

Position 4 member Loren Peterson notified Mayor Norma Hernandez of his resignation through an email on Monday, April 13.

"After thoughtful consideration, I have decided that the time has come for me to step down in order to focus on my family, travel, and other projects," Peterson wrote. "As I transition into retirement, my priorities are shifting toward spending more time with my grandchildren, caring for my aging parents, and exploring new opportunities to travel and enjoy life with my loved ones."

Peterson was appointed to the Council in July 2013 and re-elected in 2020 and 2026, serving a total of 13 years.

"It has been an honor to serve the residents of College Place, and I am deeply grateful for the trust the community has placed in me," Peterson wrote. "The work we've done together and the relationships I've built during my time on the Council will always be a source of pride for me."

Position 5 member Melodie Williams, who was appointed in June 2016 and elected in 2018 and 2024, served for a total of 10 years. In her email to Hernandez on Monday, April 20, she said it had been an honor to serve on the Council and that she was leaving it in good hands.

"We have an incredible group of people working for the city - without their hard work and dedication, the city would not be functioning, let alone thriving," Williams wrote. "I have seen them take on so many challenges over the years and they invariably pull it off. As a citizen of College Place, I benefit from their work every day, but like most citizens, I don't thank them enough. So, please pass on my thanks."

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