WINDSOR – Windsor Mayor Pro-Tempore Hoyt Cooper has resigned his post as a member of the town board.

Cooper, who was in the midst of his third term on the board, resigned because of his family’s move to Winston-Salem. He was the first Black person elected to the Windsor Board of Commissioners and was also the first Black ever to serve as Mayor Pro-Tempore.

“I am moving to Winston-Salem due to necessity,” Cooper said. “With that move, it is necessary for me to relinquish my duties with the town of Windsor. I do want all of the citizens to know that I have thoroughly enjoyed my service to the board and the people of the town.”

Cooper submitted his letter to the town earlier this week and the board has called a meeting for today to discuss the vacancy.

“Hoyt has been an outstanding public servant,” Windsor Mayor Jim Hoggard said. “He has always been very level-headed, thought things out and made good decisions. He has been fair to everyone and I think it is a big loss to the board.”

Thursday’s meeting was set to appoint a committee to bring back a recommendation to the commissioners as to who should fill nearly two years of Cooper’s term. The seat will be on the November, 2013 ballot for a candidate to fill the final two years of the four-year term.

Cooper said he was grateful for the years he spent serving the town.

“It has meant an awful lot,” he said. “I feel like I’ve been able to assist in bringing Windsor forward. The town can really go places and I hope I’ve helped in that process.”

He said he would miss the citizens of the town and living in Windsor and Bertie County.

“I have enjoyed every minute of it,” he said. “I appreciate the people of Windsor trusting me enough to elect me to serve three terms and I have done my best to serve the way they would want me to. I have given my all.”

Cooper also resigned his post as Lead Chaplain at Vidant Bertie Hospital and as Pastor of Lily of the Valley Baptist Church in Everetts. He has also tendered his resignation from his post leading Teen Court in Bertie County.

Hoggard said he expected a new Mayor Pro-Tempore to be selected once the new board member was seated.