A second member of the Dawsonville City Council has resigned after announcing he would run for mayor in the July 31 special election.

Citing state law that requires incumbent councilmen to resign before qualifying to run for mayor, Calvin Byrd stepped down after Monday night’s meeting.

“While the law would have allowed me to continue to serve until the date of my qualification for mayor, I have chosen to do so this evening, so that my fellow council members may, as a board and with public input, choose my replacement prior to the next regularly scheduled city council meeting,” Byrd said.

Qualifying for the election is set for May 23-25.

Byrd had served on the council for three years.

“Having had the opportunity and ability to serve my community as an elected leader of our city government has certainly been one of the greatest moments of my life thus far,” he said.

James Grogan, who is also seeking to fill the unexpired term of the late Joe Lane Cox, resigned from the council last week but will continue in his role as acting mayor until the election.

As acting mayor, he can vote on council issues only in the event of a tie.

Grogan, who was unanimously appointed acting mayor April 2, was able to act as mayor and still vote on council matters prior to his resignation.

Appointee Caleb Phillips, a foreman for a local grading company, was sworn in Monday night to fill Grogan’s vacant seat until an election can be held in September.

Phillips said he would not seek the post permanently.

The council is also considering a couple of names Monday to temporality fill Byrd’s vacated seat.

“I’m recommending Tommy Hosea and Angie Smith to be considered to be appointed to the council,” Byrd said. “They are both active in the community and qualified to sit on the council.”

Hosea volunteers with the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame and the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Program.

Smith serves as a partner in the family’s commercial and residential real estate leasing firm in the downtown Dawsonville. 

A decision on the vacancy will be discussed at the council's next meeting, which is set for 5 p.m. May 17 in the G.L. "Pete" Gilleland Council Chambers at city hall, 415 Hwy. 53, Dawsonville.