Councilwoman Beth Little Resigns From Summit Council

SUMMIT, NJ — Councilmember-at-Large Beth Little is resigning from her role on the Summit Common Council effective Monday, according to an announcement from the City.

Little was sworn in as a member of the Council in Jan. 2018 and is currently serving in her third time. The City of Summit Office of the City Clerk accepted her resignation Monday.

“As an elected official, Beth Little brought sound judgement and valuable professional experience as a former prosecutor to her role on council,” said Summit Mayor Nora Radest in a statement. “On all her committee assignments she worked diligently on behalf of the citizens of Summit. Her voice of reason, decisiveness and action will be missed on this council.”

Many residents have noted that Little has not attended the majority of Council meetings in-person since meetings resumed at City Hall after the COVID-19 lockdown. Little is typically the only council member that would still attend meetings via Zoom.

The City did not provide an exact reason as to why Little is resigning at this time.

According to Municipal Vacancy Law and since she resigned after Sept. 1, the appointed successor will serve the rest of Little's unexpired term until a candidate is elected in the Nov. 2023 General Election.

• The Summit Municipal Democratic Committee was advised by the City Clerk on Monday, Sept. 19, that they must submit the names of three nominees for members of Common Council to consider for appointment to temporarily fill the vacant seat.
• The Summit Municipal Democratic Committee has until Tuesday, Oct. 4 to provide three names.
• Once received, the City Clerk will submit the names of nominees to Mayor Nora Radest and members of Common Council for their consideration.
• Council must appoint, by resolution, a successor within 30 days of the occurrence of the vacancy. While they may appoint a successor as soon as the next council meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 6, they have until Oct. 18 to make the appointment.
• Once the council appoints a successor, that person will be sworn by Mayor Radest at the same meeting and take their place on council.

In related news, three candidates are running for two open seats on Summit's Council this election cycle.

Incumbents Danny O'Sullivan and Lisa Allen are running to keep their respective Ward 1 and Ward 2 seats on the council. Write-in candidate Delia Hamlet is running against O'Sullivan for the Ward 1 seat.

For more information on Summit Common Council and Mayor Nora Radest go to cityofsummit.org.

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