The attention of much of the nation was focused on Santa Clara as it hosted Super Bowl 50, but the following day (February 8) the city’s mayor grabbed the attention of the city with his announcement that he was stepping down immediately. The 53-year-old Matthews did not elaborate on his reasons for quitting with three years remaining in his second term. He would only say:
“It’s time for me to focus on my family and look forward to the next chapter of my life.”
His decision, which Matthews said was not based on health concerns, came as a surprise to his staff and the reporters who attended his news conference. It leaves the Santa Clara City Council split on a number of contentious issues.
Issues that divide the Council include district elections, the 49ers, and a proposed youth soccer park. Moreover, according to the Silicon Valley Business Journal, tensions have recently developed Santa Clara’s administrators and some of its council members.
Within the next 30 days, City Council will have to appoint an interim mayor and someone in the administration will likely have to confer with a Stationery printer to change the Santa Clara’s official letterhead to remove Matthews name and include his temporary replacement’s name.
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