Magnolia City Councilman David Sutherland formally resigned from his position on June 10, citing his recent surgery and stress associated with the city council as reasons for his departure.

Sutherland, who has been in the hospital multiple times since doctors discovered a large aneurysm above his heart in May, said that the stress of being on the city council has hindered his recovery. S

Sutherland, a Magnolia resident since 1987, was first elected to the council in 1994, and served as Mayor Pro Tem from 1995 to 1998. He was elected again to office in May 2004 and re-elected in May 2006 and May 2008.

He said the strife between city council members, the mayor, and other employees of city hall was too much for him.

“I think the city council is pretty much dysfunctional,” he said. “I can’t participate in that anymore.”

In his time on the council, Sutherland served on the Magnolia 4A Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors and the Magnolia 4B Community Development Board of Directors. Sutherland said that the council will probably discuss filling his vacant position at the next meeting.

Next May, three positions will open up for re-election and Sutherland hopes that Magnolia residents will participate. “I hope people in the city get more interested in city business and sign up for city council,” he said. Sutherland said he has no plans of serving on the council in the future.

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