Shelley City Councilman retiring after almost 12 years of service

SHELLEY – After nearly 12 years on the City Council, councilman Earl Beattie is resigning on Tuesday, August 10.  

Beattie is the City Council chairman and is currently the longest-serving member on the city council. He is retiring five months before his four-year term officially ends. Shelley Mayor Stacey Pascoe will appoint someone to take over Beatie’s seat until the election this November.    

Beattie first ran for city council against Steve Cedarberg in 2008, beating the long-time council member.  He was sworn into office in January of 2009.   He ran again for the seat in 2012 against Heather Goodworth, winning by a narrow margin.  In 2016, he ran unopposed.

“It has been a humbling experience serving the public. I have done many things to improve the city and prepare it for the future,†Beattie said. “It has been a rewarding experience working with the city’s employees and serving the people of this great community.”

While on the council, Beattie served eleven years as police commissioner and six months as the councilmember over city hall. 

Beattie’s service to the community has not just been on the council. For years, he has been an advocate and volunteer for the Shelley Senior Citizen Center. As he’s worked as an advocate for the senior center, it has been renovated, upgraded and expanded to become an emergency shelter for the city. Beattie helped make those improvements a reality.

He also served as a law enforcement officer many years prior to opening Beattie Enterprises, a pawn shop on Center St. Earlier this year, he sold his business and closed its doors.

“I purchased a place in Star Valley where I open my front door and see the mountains,†Beatie said.

He said he also wanted to be closer to his grandchildren. 

“We are going to miss Earl on the council,†Councilwoman Kim Westergard said.  “He has always been a voice of reason, and he cares deeply about the people of Shelley.â€

Pascoe said in Beattie’s capacity as council chairman he would run city council meetings whenever the Mayor wasn’t there.

“He was always helpful and willing to serve,†Pascoe said.  “He has also put a lot into the Senior Citizens Center and the city as well.  I think a lot of people should appreciate him for all  his efforts in that regard.â€

With Beattie’s departure, Pascoe will appoint someone to the empty seat.

“I am going to appoint someone to that seat. But part of the agreement is they have to run for that seat to try and keep it,†Pascoe said. 

Pascoe said he will announce the name of the person he is appointing to the seat at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, August 10.

A farewell party will be held for Beattie just before the August 10 City Council meeting from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the council chamber at Shelley City Hall. 

At the beginning of the council meeting, Beattie will formally resign his seat. The Mayor will then announce the name of the person he has asked to fill that seat. Community Pioneer will broadcast this council meeting on its YouTube Channel.   

Author’s Note: I (Jeff Kelley) served with Earl Beattie for eight years on the council. Mr. Beattie was a great councilman. He always wanted to do what was best for the people of the city. Often, he and I would disagree and argue over issues. But, I appreciated those times when this happened because it helped me formulate policies that would best serve the people. I greatly admire and respect Earl Beattie, whom I call a friend.