Carthage mayor resigns; vice mayor in seat

By Eddie West Staff Writer

Carthage Mayor Steve Babcock has submitted a formal letter of resignation to the city.

The mayor’s resignation is effective as of August 1.

Meanwhile, the city council agreed Vice Mayor Anthony Hackett will continue serving in the role as acting mayor.

Mayor Babcock’s resignation did not come as a surprise as he has been on medical leave since May.

Vice Mayor Hackett presided over the May, June and July meetings in the absence of Mayor Babcock.

In recent weeks, there was credible talk the mayor, who was elected in 2022, would be resigning come August.

While city officials have noted Mayor Babcock was away from the office because of medical issues no one has commented publicly on his situation.

During the council’s July meeting Thursday night, Vice Mayor Hackett read the mayor’s resignation letter to council members. Rather brief, the letter acknowledged he was appreciative of the time he was able to serve as the city’s mayor and thanked employees for their work. In November of 2022 Mayor Babcock defeated two other candidates to take over the city’s top position, incumbent Mayor Sarah Marie Smith and Cole Ebel, who formerly served as a councilman.  

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