Carrie Brooks, dean of the Friday Harbor Town Council, has resigned for health reasons.

Brooks submitted a letter of resignation this week. Her resignation is effective July 1. She is serving her third four-year term; her current term expires Dec. 31, 2011. She also chairs the town Lodging Tax Advisory Committee and is assistant vice president and loan officer at Islanders Bank in Friday Harbor.

A complete story will be posted later and will be published in the June 23 Journal.

Here is the text of her resignation letter, distributed at the June 17 council meeting.

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It is with great regret that I inform you of my decision to resign from the Town of Friday Harbor Council Position 5 after 10.5 years. My final meeting will be the evening of July 1, 2010. So, as of July 2, 2010, the position will be empty. There will be 18 months left on my third term elected position expiring December 31, 2011 that will need to be filled.

I realize that this will be extra pressure and work for all of you for a while, and I apologize. But it is a decision that I had to make now due to some physical issues in my body I am addressing. My doctor said it was time to resign for my health, and he is right. I am not in a really bad situation yet, but this is a preventative measure I need.

I want to tell you how proud I am of all of you, and thank you for all of your dedication to the service of the Town, and for your patience with me. I have learned so much from each of you, and the Council position has given me a wonderful opportunity to use the talents and gifts that God gave me just for this purpose. I have grown as a person, and have thoroughly enjoyed these years.

I want to say “Thank you” to the Town voters who trusted me enough to let me be their advocate for 3 years. There are many difficult challenges the Town is facing, and my prayers will continue for prosperity, protection, and peace to all of our citizens, and wisdom for the Town leaders.

Carrie Lacher, you are an outstanding Mayor, and I trust you. You current Council members are some of the best we have ever had. You are all brilliant, creative, bold, and caring, with no hidden agendas other than serving the citizens to the best of your abilities. The Town is in good hands, which is a comfort to me. July 1 is my 60th birthday, and an appropriate time for me to leave on a confident and happy note. I still live in the Town, and I am sure “town citizen” Carrie Brooks will see you again.

I love you all,

Carrie L. Brooks