Steve Peterson is stepping down as mayor of Virginia, saying his full-time job with the IRRRB requires his full attention and that he couldn't do both jobs justice.
"I basically had two full-time jobs and that became too much," Peterson said Wednesday after announcing his resignation, effective Oct. 1, as the last item on Tuesday night's City Council agenda.
Peterson said he accepted the job as executive director of the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board's development division in November, just five days after being reelected mayor, knowing that he would eventually have to step down as mayor.
"That was the understanding we had when I took the job, because I have to represent the entire Iron Range and it could be seen as a conflict of interest" favoring Virginia, Peterson said.
Peterson said he and IRRRB Commissioner Tony Sertich agreed that Peterson could wait until two divisive issues were settled before stepping down -- the departure of former Virginia Police Chief Dana Waldron and the sale of the city-owned hospital to Essentia Health.
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"It (the resignation) surprised some people, but if I would have waited any longer another big issue would have come up," Peterson joked.
"It was the best job I ever had, but also the only job I had that cost me money," Peterson added.
City Councilor Larry Cuffee, designated the city's acting mayor, will assume the post of mayor until the City Council determines a permanent replacement to fill out the remaining three years on Peterson's term. The council could opt to appoint a mayor or to hold a special election.
Peterson, former head of a Virginia manufacturing firm who currently owns a bar and pizza parlor on the city's main street, was elected to the City Council in 2001 and 2005. In 2007, he defeated popular incumbent mayor Carolyn Gentilini; he won reelection unopposed in 2011.
One councilor, Nevada Littlewolf, already has suggested a special election be held to fill the position. Peterson said he expected the council to address the issue at its Tuesday night committee of the whole finance meeting.
