DAPHNE, Ala. - In a surprise announcement during Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Daphne Mayor Fred Small tendered his resignation as of Oct. 15. Small, having served the city since his defeat of incumbent Harry Brown in 2004, cited the need to spend more time with his family and his business as the reason for his resignation.

“I think we’ve had a good seven years, I’ve never had a year that we went in the red, we’ve always been heavily in the black under my administration, and I’m proud of that,” Small said. “At some point in time you finally just get to where enough is enough, and what’s it worth to you?”

Small is the father of four children age 8-18 and the proprietor of Fastime Chicken and Biscuits in Daphne. In his role as mayor, he also serves on the Utilities Board and Planning Commission, roles that will also be negated with his resignation.

“This has been on my mind for a while,” Small said. “I’ve never quit anything in my life, and I definitely didn’t want to do this, but another 13 months, that’s a long time.”

City Council members, seemingly taken aback by Small’s announcement Tuesday, ended the meeting by thanking the mayor for his service and setting an agenda item to discuss the transition at the next regular meeting.

For more on this story see Friday’s edition of The Bulletin.