ROCKPORT — Following the early morning, May 20 announcement that Jon Duke has been hired as the town’s new town manager, effective July 6, his father, Robert Duke, is withdrawing from the Select Board ballot and municipal committees. The ballot, however, has been printed; therefore, voters are being informed now that Duke will not serve on the Select Board if he wins a seat.

He sent the following letter to the town:

Robert G. Duke, Jr.

Memo to: Jeff Charland, Chair; Budget Committee

Richard Anderson, Chair; Comprehensive Plan Committee

Linda Greenlaw, Clerk, Town of Rockport

Debra Hall, Chair, Selectboard, Town of Rockport

Subject; Resignation from Committees

Since 1978 I have served the Town of Rockport in many capacities; Volunteer fireman until 1995, Budget Committee until 1986, Select Board from 1986-1995 then again from 2004-2008. Somewhere in the early 2000s, I put in a term with the Zoning Board of Appeals. Due to my involvement in the Town I chose to get involved with Knox County government both as a Commissioner and Budget Committee member. 

The reason I reflect of my service is that I have served the town out of my love of our town that I grew up in and my wish to insure that those like me can continue to live and love the place we call Rockport. I think of Sandy Graffam, Rollie Richards, Maynard Ingraham, Roger Jones, Marge Jones, Jim Annis, Molly Sholes, and Jack McCormick, folks that I consider leaders of Rockport. I know those that I mentioned had the same love of our Town and acted as a Select Board member in the best interest of the whole Town. 

It is with an uplifted heart that I announce that my role as a servant to the Town has come to an end.  My son, Jonathan, has accepted the role as Town Manager of our beloved Town. I find it ironic that the year Jon was born I started my service as Fireman to Rockport. Later on Jon raised the flag; his first experience serving Rockport. After college Jon served again as Selectboard Member. After that term Jon served Hope as their Town Administrator for several years then onto  Newcastle as their Town Manager. I know that The Town of Rockport has someone that will be totally invested in our Town and in it for the long haul, serving everyone in Rockport with sincerity and professionalism.

I am a Candidate for Select Board this year. When I took out nomination papers I knew that there was only one person who had submitted his papers. I didn’t want a “write-in” candidate to lead our town and that is the reason I took out papers. A few days later, Bill Post announced he was leaving the Town Manager’s position in Rockport. Now that my son is accepting this post if elected I will not accept the position as Select Board Member. 

I currently serve as a member on the Rockport Budget Committee and Comprehensive Plan Committee. As of this date I am resigning as a Committee Member from both very important committees.

In my over forty years of service I have been outspoken on most issues. In politics that is not an attractive virtue but for many who rarely speak up I have always felt that I was speaking for them. As for future service I’ll stay clear of Rockport. I want to thank to citizens who supported me along the way and will put their weight in helping my son Jon lead the Town of Rockport into the future.