(Editor's note: What follows is the letter that town commissioners unanimously approved at the Monday, Feb. 7, board meeting. Chris Montgomery did not comply with the board's wishes to resign as mayor of Mooresville. Read the Friday, Feb. 11, edition of Mooresville Weekly for more details.)

Mr. Mayor Chris Montgomery,

As a Board, we are compelled to react to recent events where you have put your behavior, both as a private citizen and as the Mayor, into the public arena.

Each of us understand and appreciate the frailties of the human spirit. We also realize that each of us make mistakes. But when these frailties and mistakes affects our judgment and affects how we are perceived as public officials, our Town, whom we are sworn to serve, can suffer.

We do not see the need to reiterate what has happened; that has been made public through numerous media reports including messages and letters that you have published. We believe the public is well aware of your actions and your response to what has occurred.

We must ask that you consider what is important to our citizens, our Town, this Board, and to the Office of Mayor. We ask that you consider what damage your actions have done to our Town from both a local and a state perspective. We call upon you to consider the reputation of our Town as a regional leader in growth and economic development.

It is then the statement of this Board that while we strongly respect the Office of Mayor of the Town of Mooresville, we have lost our confidence in your ability to hold this office. We ask that you bear testimony to the oath that you took when you become Mayor that you would faithfully discharge the duties of your office. While we cannot demand nor require that you resign as Mayor, we must in good conscience, ask that you consider this as a best option and furthermore allow our Town to rebuild its reputation and show our citizens, our county, and our state that the best interests of our town come first.