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BETHLEHEM -- The village of Bethlehem's elected mayor left office this week, an acting mayor is in place and now it's up to council members to select someone to fill out the mayor's term.
At present, Recorder Matthew Saseen is serving as acting mayor, according to village employees. Former Mayor Aaron Snider has resigned due to health reasons, and his last day was Tuesday.
Council is set to meet at 8 p.m. Monday at the Bethlehem municipal building, and a permanent mayor is expected to be selected at that time.
Snider announced Oct. 7 that he would be resigning from office effective Oct. 31. The move came after he was diagnosed this summer with Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cancer developing in the lymphatic system.
His two-year term in office expires June 30, 2024.
When elected in 2022 at the age of 20, Snider was believed to be the youngest mayor ever to serve in West Virginia.
"While my term was cut short by 8 months due to current health issues, I am still proud of what has been accomplished thus far," Snider posted on social media this week.
"I am grateful to all of the residents who entrusted me with this job and wish very much that I could have seen this job to term, but often life has other plans."
He thanked Bethlehem village clerks, road crew and police department for their work during his time as mayor.
"Though who sits in the mayor's office will change, I have no doubt that these people will continue to move forward efficiently to ensure the day to day operations continue as normal and push forward through these unprecedented times," Snider continued. "I have learned very much from this job and look forward to using this experience in the future for whatever endeavor comes next.
"For now, I thank you all for your support in my stepping down as I focus on my health. It truly has been an honor to serve you all."