Following weeks of controversy relating to residency questions and an indictment on gun theft charges, Iman Osman has resigned from the City Council just days after being sworn in to represent Ward 5.
In a statement to Mayor Carl Sheline and city councilors early Thursday, Osman said his resignation “stems from my unwavering commitment to the very community I have dedicated my entire life to serving.”
“For the betterment of our community and in the best interest of our city, I believe it is time for me to step aside,” he said.
Sheline and others had called on Osman to relinquish his seat leading up to his swearing in this past Monday. The council later voted to launch an independent investigation in order to settle Osman’s residency and qualifications to serve.
When reached Thursday morning, Sheline thanked Osman for stepping down.
“This choice is in the best interest of the city as we have important work ahead of us,” he said. “This decision allows city leadership to remain centered on the priorities that lie ahead.”
With Osman serving less than a week of a two-year term, the City Council will have to set a special election to fill the seat.
The City Council called a special meeting for Thursday night. According to the agenda, councilors were set to “review next steps in the process to fill the vacant City Council seat from Ward 5” as well as vote on discontinuing the investigation into Osman’s residency.
At issue since Osman’s successful campaign for council has been his legal address, which is listed as 210 Blake St. The building has been condemned since October of last year, with no clear timeline established for Osman’s return, which has led to continued questions from the public regarding whether Ward 5 would have true representation.
Osman has not publicly released the address where he lives. His attorney, Kiernan Majerus-Collins, has said he will not divulge the location because Osman is facing harassment, and that Osman plans to return to the 210 Blake St. address when renovations are complete.
The City Clerk’s office has previously said that 210 Blake St. meets residency requirements under state law because Osman plans to return there, and there is no time frame established by precedent for the state to define “temporarily absent.”
Complicating matters further for Osman and local officials was Osman’s indictment for gun theft charges last month. Osman was arraigned Wednesday in Androscoggin County District Court, where he pleaded not guilty to a count of theft by receiving stolen property and theft by unauthorized taking or transfer.
While councilors have called on Osman to resign or supported the investigation in order to settle the issue, some have also called out the rhetoric surrounding public pressure for the city to take action, calling it racist and “disgusting.”
In his resignation statement, Osman said he ran for City Council because he “believed we needed a new voice in city government” and he won “despite racist opposition.”
“In my time in public office, I have faced vicious personal attacks that not only target me but also seek to silence the marginalized voices I have always sought to uplift,” he said. “Public service today is fraught with harassment, intimidation, and hostility.”
During recent public meetings, residents have been split on their support for Osman and an investigation, with some arguing that Osman’s gun theft charges cast a negative shadow over the city as it contends with ongoing gun violence.
Some members of the Somali community have stated that the spotlight on Osman has been rolled into a national anti-Somali fervor that has amounted to a smear campaign.
“I hope my resignation serves as a call to action for those who remain — an opportunity to reflect on the values of respect, inclusivity, and kindness that should guide our public service,” Osman said.
