New Baltimore Councilman Zack Stanton is stepping down from his first-term seat.

"Serving the People of New Baltimore has been one of my life's great honors – one I will never forget. It is with some regret that effective on Tuesday, August 28th, I will step down from my position on city council to fulfill work-related responsibilities in Washington, D.C.," Stanton said in a prepared statement.

Stanton, who received the most votes for office last November, is the son of author and Voice Newspaper co-founder Tom Stanton and children's storyteller Beth Bagley-Stanton. The communications/new media consultant has described himself as a "hometown kid" who wants to see the city live up to its potential.

"I have been humbled time and again by the graciousness and good-heartedness of many in our community – volunteers of all generations, from the Macks to the Gingases; from the Hepps to the Paparellis.

"Far more than any elected official, they represent the true spirit of this town; far more than any politician, they will leave a lasting legacy and help to make our town an even better place," he wrote.

Stanton has championed the proposal to revise the city charter and publicly raised the notion of a city manager form of government. The charter revision was voted down in the early August election, but city officials said they would still like amendments made to the 1970s document.

"Since my birth in 1985, New Baltimore has been my home. Going forward, regardless of where I live, I will continue to call it my home. Even as I leave the city in the capable hands of my colleagues on city council, I do so firm in the belief that New Baltimore can become a better place – one with greater government transparency, more effective use of economic development tools, and a higher quality of life.

"I still hope for a New Baltimore as good as its promise," he stated.