LEWISTON — The City Council dealt with yet another resignation within its ranks Tuesday as the Nov. 2 election approaches.

Ward 5 Councilor Luke Jensen resigned effective Oct. 4, just three months before his term was set to expire and just one month before the election. Jensen was not running for reelection to the seat.

Jensen became the second councilor to resign in recent months after Zack Pettengill resigned in August.

In an email Tuesday, Jensen said serving his hometown has been an “honor,” but added, “My issue is with the system, not with any people.”

“The City Charter needs serious reform,” he said. “Service on the council is just not a productive use of my time, especially while I work full-time as an elementary school teacher.”

He said since he began on the School Committee in early February 2017, he’s served under four mayors, three school superintendents, and three city administrators.

“Serving my home city has been an honor, and I will miss the camaraderie between myself and my colleagues,” he said. “I will always believe in Lewiston.”

An agenda item was added to the council meeting to discuss the resignation, with most councilors believing the city should appoint a replacement for the two-month window.

During the meeting, Mayor Mark Cayer said he was “disappointed” he had to announce the resignation.

“It’s just been one of those years this year,” he said.

In his resignation letter to Cayer, Jensen said, “I am a much different person than when I first started in elective office nearly half a decade ago, and my energy absolutely needs to be spent elsewhere at this point in my life.”

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