An alderman in Herculaneum has resigned after about a year on the board, prompting a mayoral appointment to fill the Ward 1 seat and a board confirmation process.
Resignation cited personal reasons
Krystle Milton, who served as Ward 1 alderman, submitted a letter of resignation to Mayor Ryan Wright on June 16. The Herculaneum Board of Aldermen accepted the resignation unanimously at its July 6 meeting.
Milton told local media the decision arose from a shift in personal circumstances that would prevent her from consistently attending some board meetings. In her remarks she said the choice was difficult because of concern for residents but indicated the need to prioritise immediate personal matters.
“Life kind of happened, and it needs my full attention at this point,” Milton said. “I did enjoy my time on the board, and it was a very hard thing that I had to really think about because I feel like I’m letting my residents down. But at the same time, the residents need somebody that can fully be there for them.”
Appointment process and mayor’s rationale
Under the city’s practice, the mayor nominates a replacement when an alderman leaves before the end of a term; the nominee must then secure a majority vote of the board to be confirmed. Mayor Wright said he consulted with Ward 1 Alderman Dennis Tesreau as part of selecting a candidate he believed the full board would support.
Wright proposed long-time resident Sam Shelton, recently retired from ownership of Alarm Services of Jefferson County, as a suitable choice. The mayor highlighted Shelton’s community involvement and experience with finance and business as assets he would bring to the board.
“Sam’s been very involved in the community for a long time. He brings a lot of knowledge of finance and business, and he’s really good at working with people. He’s been a friend of the city for a very long time,” Wright said. “I think he’s going to bring something to the table. He’s a wise man.”
- Resignation submitted: June 16
- Board accepted resignation: July 6 (unanimous)
- Mayor’s nominee: Sam Shelton (pending board confirmation)
Local implications
The change reduces Ward 1 representation until the board completes the confirmation process. The mayor emphasised his intent to nominate a candidate acceptable to the whole board rather than act unilaterally, signalling a focus on stability and consensus for the short remainder of the term.
| Item | Date / status |
|---|---|
| Resignation letter | June 16 (submitted to mayor) |
| Board acceptance | July 6 (unanimous) |
| Nomination | Mayor nominated Sam Shelton (awaiting board vote) |
Milton said she hopes to return to public service in the future and expressed continued support for the city’s direction. Mayor Wright acknowledged the contributions she made during her time on the board and is moving to fill the vacancy with a candidate he described as bringing experience and community ties.
