Mayor Pro Tem Nicholson resigns due to planned move

Georgetown Mayor Pro Tem and District 2 Council Member Valerie Nicholson will resign from her position effective May 31, because she and her family are moving out of the district.

“While this is not an ideal end to my term, I’m honored to have served in Georgetown and look forward to the future,” Nicholson said in her letter of resignation. “I’d like to thank council members, past and present, for their leadership, along with City staff for their professionalism and teamwork. I appreciate the District 2 constituents and community members who entrusted me to represent them and their interests.”

Nicholson is serving her first term on the Georgetown City Council, after being elected in May 2017. Although her first term would have expired this month, the May 2020 election was moved to November because of the Coronovirus pandemic. The Council elected her as mayor pro tem in May 2019.

The Council will elect a new mayor pro tem at its June 9 meeting. The District 2 seat will remain vacant until an election. According to the City’s charter, an election to fill a vacant position must be held within 120 days of the vacancy. However, the City is waiting on clarification from the Governor’s Office about whether the City can delay filling the District 2 seat until the Nov. 3 election.

“Valerie’s legacy will be that she left the city better than she found it,” Mayor Dale Ross said. “She put her heart and soul into her service here. She absolutely loves Georgetown, and it showed in everything she did. She was a huge asset to this Council, and I wish her all the best.”

Nicholson served on multiple boards during her time on the Council, including the boards for the Georgetown Economic Development Corporation (GEDCO) and the Rivery Park and Williams Drive tax increment reinvestment zones. She volunteers for and is a member of the Economic Vitality Committee for the Main Street Program and is a former member of the Georgetown Commission on Aging.

While a member of the Georgetown City Council, Nicholson was committed to leading “with an open mind and a servant’s heart.” Her priorities related to keeping Georgetown safe and vibrant during a time of significant growth.

A native of central Texas and Georgetown resident since 2009, Valerie and her husband Blake have three sons. Nicholson has nearly 20 years of experience in public sector, primarily in K-12 education, consulting for educational technology, and operating a small business with consistent support of local nonprofits since 2014.

“Above all, I want to thank my family for encouraging me every step of the way, in all things. This has been part of their life’s journey too, and I hope I’ve made them proud,” Nicholson said. “We may be forgotten in the richness of Georgetown history, but the past decade spent here and the memories made will last a lifetime for us.”