Jon Espersen resigned as Fredonia trustee on Wednesday.

Fredonia Trustee Jon Espersen has resigned.

“The real question is, why did it take me that long,” he cracked when the OBSERVER asked him Thursday why he did it. “It’s not just one thing, it’s a culmination of many things. The constant negativity– I dreaded going to meetings. I enjoyed the collaboration with the motor and trustees, but the meetings just got out of control.”

Espersen handed his resignation to Mayor Michael Ferguson on Wednesday.

“I was struggling for a while now with how much animosity I was carrying around,” Espersen said. “It weighed on me. I didn’t like the fact I felt that way toward a couple people. I didn’t want to live that way anymore,” because it is consistent with his Christian values.

Espersen has seen some friends pass away recently, and it made him realize how fragile life is. “I want the reminder of my days to be filled with joy, happiness and positivity, and I was not leading that life.”

Espersen commented that he’s been telling village employees for four years that health and family are the most important things, “and it’s time I took that advice.”

He said, “I love Fredonia and I think I’ve worked hard to make it a better place. I think I worked on some things that were glossed over by previous boards.”

Espersen stated he does feel bad that he is walking away from Ferguson and his fellow trustees at this time. That’s particularly because Trustee Ben Brauchler had surgery this week and will be unavailable for a bit, meaning the board will have a minimum three-person quorum, Espersen said.

The village will need a new vice mayor to back up Ferguson now. Espersen held that position.

He promised to keep an eye on village affairs, but with a certain distance.

“I’m not going to stand up there like (former Trustee) Jim Lynden does. I’m not going to be that guy. I want to spend more time with my grandkids in North Carolina. I was scheduling visits around meetings, and I think my priorities got a little skewed there.”

Espersen implied more than once in his conversation with the OBSERVER that he fears violence will break out at future village meetings. He referred to ridiculousness that took place after a recent meeting, which Espersen did not attend because he was out of the country. Verbal confrontations reportedly turned physical, though no criminal charges have been filed.