Robinson Mayor Roger Pethtel is retiring.
After 36 years in public service and 14 years as mayor, Pethtel will step down effective Monday.
“It’s been a good long run, but it’s time to put my family first,” Pethtel told the Daily News.
“There have been so many things I’ve missed with my kids and now my grandkids. I don’t hardly feel like I’ve been putting them first.”
He pointed out he retired from Ameren Illinois 10 years ago and “has been working at something” for 57 years.
That includes 23 years as a Robinson City Council alderman before being appointed acting mayor following the death of Gary Davis. He was most recently re-elected in 2021 and started his 14 year on the job May 1.
“It will be a big change and I’m probably going to miss it for a while,” he said. “But I’m going to enjoy it.”
Pethtel said he’s looking forward to spending time with family. He’s making plans to travel with Debbie, his wife of 52 years, and this weekend will attend the college graduation of his oldest grandson.
He explained he had talked about the decision to retire with Debbie.
“She asked if I was sure I wanted to do this,” he said. “I told her ‘I can already feel the load being lifted from my shoulders.’”
Pethtel has always enjoyed working with others, but won’t miss the pressure of being an elected official.
Pethtel said “several good things” have been accomplished during his time in city government. A major accomplishment was the construction of a new firehouse and moving firefighters out of the former city hall on West Walnut. The renovation of Eaton Street a few years back was another important achievement.
“There have just been a lot of things,” he said. “Of course, I don’t do it all by myself. It takes the whole council. It’s a team effort.”
It will be up to the city council to appoint an acting mayor to fill the vacancy until the April 2023 election.
At that time, mayoral candidates will run to fill out the remainder of Pethtel’s term. A mayor will be elected to a four-year term in 2025.