Council member resigns

Jeffrey Willsey announced his resignation Tuesday from the Bloomington City Council as representative from District 4. His last day will be Jan. 15.\n"Recent personal changes in my life make it very difficult for me to give the time I believe is needed for the job," Willsey said in a personal statement. "I would not be comfortable doing less homework on the important issues than I have done during the past three years. However, my two small children need and deserve my full time attention at this time."\n"I also realize that my positions on several issues will make re-election very time-consuming and quite simply I don't have that type of time, except by taking it from my children, which I simply won't do," Willsey said.\nBefore his political work, Willsey was a co-founder of Sunrise Publications, a greeting card company based in Bloomington. He was sworn-in in 2000, and resigned with one year left in his term. During his term he was known for supporting concept concurrency in the Growth Policies Plan. He also served as head of the Safe and Civil City project for two years without pay, as well as on several other committees throughout his term.\nWillsey said he sought to make government "transparent," saying that the more done in public concerning the workings of government, the better. \n"The most important part is for citizens of the community to understand what is going on," he said.\nWillsey expressed frustration at some of the actions of the council during his term.\n"I wanted a broadening of the debate on economic development in Bloomington. I think that goal was partially achieved," he said.\nWillsey said he wanted to use some of the city's money to "sponsor some of the smaller voices in Bloomington," including small businesses.\nIn a news release, he mentioned a possible primary election challenge because of his position to not use public money for Planned Parenthood. \n"I'm pro-choice, but I would describe myself as an abortion conservative. I feel the decision is in the hands of the woman, but I do not feel public money should be used because the issue is too controversial. People should donate their own money to those types of organizations," he said.\nWillsey offered his personal money to Planned Parenthood, and said he was frustrated that the organization refused his money but instead accepted the public funds. He said he feels this issue could have affected the next election.\n"I have concluded that being both an economic progressive and an abortion conservative is not a politically viable position within the local Democratic party at this time."\nRepublican Council member David Sabbaugh supported Willsey, and said he was disappointed he would not work with him anymore.\n"We've been friends since 1994, and whatever political differences we had were transcended by our friendship," Sabbaugh said.\nWillsey stressed the main reason he resigned was for his children, and did not want to comment about his pending divorce to his wife, IU student trustee Sacha Willsey. The case is currently is the hands of Monroe County Circuit Court.\n"My wife is an IU trustee. This is going to come up again. I assume you will hear more about it," he said. \nRegina Moore, city clerk and vice-chairwoman of the Monroe County Democratic party, said a caucus is set for Jan. 27 in the City Council Chambers. The eight precinct committee members from Willsey's district will vote for his replacement for the last year of the term. Moore said the public is welcome to attend. The process for applying to fill the position has not officially begun yet, she said. \nWillsey said he will remain active in local politics, but as for his specific future plans, he said they are simply to find "happiness"