Leslie will hold a special election Sept. 19 to fill the shoes of mayor Bill Deriso who resigned July 14, citing health reasons.

He said he has done his best to make Leslie a better place to live, serving as a city councilman for 15 years and then for five years as mayor. Deriso said he decided to step down because both he and family members are experiencing health problems.

During his tenure Deriso said Leslie’s mayor and council have worked hard to rectify drainage issues and get people out of dilapidated houses and into new ones. Deriso said Leslie is moving in the right direction with the advent of a full-time police department and a public pool. Leslie also recently acquired a new fire engine that has lowered insurance costs for homeowners, he said.

Deriso said he’s sorry that Leslie will have to pay for a special election, which city officials estimate will cost $800-$1,000.

Two candidates already have put their hats in the ring for the mayoral race, James Hines and Leslie City Councilman Dr. George Bagley IV.

Mayor Pro-Tem Jane Butler is taking on the mayoral duties until one is elected Sept. 19. She’s not seeking the permanent position at this point.

“It has been exciting and challenging,” Butler said Wednesday about her temporary securement of the mayoral duties. Butler said she wouldn’t mind being mayor but perhaps should retire from teaching first. She feels like this experience as interim mayor is good practice.

Butler gave Deriso a lot of credit for making Leslie a better place to live during his time as mayor.