Board of Aldermen President Murray Bruer has since been sworn in as the new mayor. Gibson had been mayor since April 2007 when he ran unopposed. He previously served as an alderman since 2000. City Clerk Mary Lou Rainwater said Gibson handed his resignation letter to Bruer, which was read aloud at last Wednesday's aldermen meeting. Bruer was sworn in as mayor on Thursday, Sept. 25. Rainwater, Bruer and Alderman Rhonda Colombo were stunned to hear Gibson's announcement. "He was very into the city," Bruer said. "He had a lot of concerns. He put in a lot of time. Everyone was in shock and hated to see it happen." Gibson's typed statement read: "I, Ray L. Gibson, do hereby resign the office of mayor of the city of Truesdale for personal reasons. I feel that I cannot be an active mayor if the employees have all the decision making powers for the city. I have enjoyed the time working with the city." When reached later, Gibson declined to comment further on his letter. He did say he had no regrets. "I didn't want to fool with it," he said. Later he added, "I think we had a lot of progress." Bruer said Gibson had given no indication he planned to run for mayor again when his two-year term expired next April so he had contemplated seeking the top post. Now he has several months of on-the-job training to see what the future holds. "This might make up my mind," Bruer said. Bruer has served as an alderman since April 2007 after being appointed to fill an open seat created when Gibson was elected mayor. Bruer was re-elected to a two-year term in April. "Whatever is good for the city is what we're concerned with," Bruer said. "I hope to get more involved. Our infrastructure is our top priority." Bruer plans on making a recommendation to fill his aldermanic post at the city's next meeting on Oct. 8. The replacement must be approved by two of the remaining three aldermen, Rainwater said.