On Wednesday, June 9, Mayor Caretto resigned from the City Council and submitted the following statement to the City:

"As I believe you are aware, it has been my distinct pleasure and honor to serve the Big Bear Lake community on the City Council and as Mayor during the last 11 years. However, due to my recent, serious and very unexpected medical issue which has required a long hospitalization and surgery, I now find it essentially impossible for me to continue to serve the community in a way that I believe it deserves. Therefore, due to these medical issues, other family medical issues, financial considerations, a desire to downsize, and a recent and continuing need to visit family and our very new granddaughter, I hereby submit my resignation from the City of Big Bear Lake City Council, effective on the close of the business day on Friday, June 18, 2021.

I would like to specifically thank all of the members of the Council that I have had the privilege of working with over the years and also to all of the wonderful City staff members who have treated me so well and made the City Council and its efforts look so good. I am very much indebted to all of those staff and community members who have made this City a place we can all be so proud of. To the managers and staff at the other agencies I have also been able to represent, I appreciate your service and commitment to our Big Bear Valley. I would be remiss, though, if I did not single out the two wonderful City Managers that I have worked with during my tenure on the Council, Mr. Jeff Mathieu and Mr. Frank Rush, both of who exemplify the highest values and abilities as City Managers.

Thank you, and please do not hesitate to contact me if you need any further information or clarification."

Mayor Caretto has served as a City Councilmember since his initial election in 2010, and has served as Mayor since appointment by his Council colleagues in December 2020.

All of us at the City wish Mayor Caretto a full and smooth recovery from his recent surgery and wish him and his family the very best in his post-City life. We are eternally grateful for his dedicated service to our community!

The City Council will discuss the replacement of Mayor Caretto on the City Council at an upcoming City Council Meeting. The Council may appoint a replacement to fill the remainder of his term (that expires in November 2022) or schedule a special election to fill the remainder of his term.

Mayor Pro Tem Rick Herrick will preside over City Council meetings and fulfill other Mayoral duties until such time that the City Council selects a new Mayor.