BIXBY, Okla. — The Bixby City Council appointed a new mayor on Monday following the resignation of Brad Girard in May.
Bobby Schultz, who had been serving as acting mayor since Girard’s resignation, was officially appointed by the city councilors as Bixby’s next mayor.
Girard’s resignation came shortly after the arrest of City Manager Joey Wiedel. After his arrest, Wiedel was suspended from his duties, and Bixby Police Chief Todd Blish was appointed acting city manager.
Girard posted the following statement discussing his decision to resign on social media:
“With deep sadness, I announce my decision to resign from my position as Mayor of Bixby and Ward 4 Councilor. Bottom line: Looking back, I should have handled a recent employee matter differently than I did in the moment.
It has been the honor of my life to serve this community and I am deeply grateful for the trust and support of our residents, and dedicated city staff.
This chapter has been filled with challenges and triumphs, and I am proud of the progress we’ve made together—improving public safety, fostering transparency, working on regional relationships and investing in our city’s future.
While I’m stepping aside, I’m not going anywhere. Bixby is home, and I feel it’s best days are ahead. We are finally seeing commercial development come to the southside of Bixby that will keep our tax dollars at home, as well as save drive time. We have partners advocating for us at the state and federal level to get that much needed and long awaited second Arkansas River Bridge Crossing.
Talk soon.
Sincerely,
Brad Girard.”
On Monday, the city council also appointed Ken Hirshey as vice mayor of Bixby and Luke Freeman as the Ward 4 city councilor.
You can watch Monday’s full city council meeting by clicking here.
