CLARKSDALE, Miss.–Leadership changes are coming to Clarksdale. Mayor Chuck Espy has already announced he will not seek another term as mayor. Police Chief Robin Linley has also announced he is stepping down at the end of the year.
Linley is retiring and sent a letter to the Board of Commissioners explaining he plans to retire.
Espy said his decision is based on a promise he made not to overstay his welcome.
“Everyone knows I made a promise when I ran for this office I would only seek it for two terms,” said Espy during Tuesday’s Board of Commissioners meeting. “I believe a shelf life is whatever you can do between eight and ten years. After that you become a coffee-sipping politician.”
Espy was being asked by resident Milton Gardner to reconsider.
“I implore you to run for mayor again,” said Gardner. “We need you. This town will go to hell if you don’t.”
“I don’t want to overextend my time and hopefully God has another path for me,” said Espy.
He asked Gardner to trust the process.
