Suffolk News-Herald

Suffolk City Councilman E. Dana Dickens III has resigned from the city’s governing body.

Dickens, on Friday tapped to become the new president and chief executive officer of Hampton Roads Partnership, submitted his resignation to Mayor Bobby L. Ralph on Tuesday.

The city council is expected to accept the city lawmaker’s resignation, which would be effective immediately, during a special meeting at 5 p.m. Thursday.

During the meeting, council will go into closed ession to

discuss how to proceed in naming someone to complete Dickens’ term, said City Clerk Erika Jenkins.

Under city law, the council has 45 days to tap his successor or else the Suffolk Circuit Court will make the appointment, Jenkins said. She added that no decision would be made Thursday.

The new councilmember would represent the Chuckatuck borough for the remainder of Dickens’ term, which expires in 2006, Ralph said.

The seat is open to anyone living in the Chuckatuck borough, he added. Anyone interested in the post should contact Jenkins at 923-2389.