The Mandeville City Council responded with sadness Friday evening to the resignation of Mayor Eddie Price.

Council members Adelaide Boettner, Jerry Coogan and Carla Buccholz said Price spoke to them prior to his 4:30 p.m. announcement, but Mayor Pro Tem Trilby Lenfant said Price did not personally contact her concerning his decision.

Boettner, Coogan and Buccholz were all present when Price made his official announcement, flanked by his family in Council Chambers. Lenfant said she found out about the scheduled announcement from members of the press but was not in attendance as she was on her way to see two of her granddaughters perform at the Our Lady of the Lake festival. “I was not privy to any information from the mayor until his 4:30 address,” Lenfant said.

The fifth councilman Jeff Bernard also was not present and could not be reached Friday evening for comment.

All of the council members contacted said Friday was a sad day for the city of Mandeville.

“First and foremost,” Lenfant said, “it is a sad day for the Price family.”

She added that she thinks Price made the “best decision for the citizens of Mandeville,” adding that the rumors and his legal problems have indeed become an increasing distraction for the council and administration.

“I support his decision,” she said.

“I am deeply saddened this day had to come,” Buccholz said. “Eddie Price served Mandeville very well, and he was deeply dedicated in his service to the city.”

She said Price called her earlier on Friday and they talked about his decision.

“It’s a personal choice he had to make,” Buccholz said, adding that she knows it was a very hard decision for him to have to make.

Coogan said he too was informed of Price’s intentions prior to the 4:30 announcement.

“I knew yesterday (Thursday). He called me into his office and shared with me what his plans were.”

Coogan said he supports Price in his decision and knows he decided to resign because he felt it was in the best interest of the city.

“For him to remain in office, the rumors and controversy would hang over the city and he didn’t want that,” he said, adding that he thinks Price made the right decision.

“I think what he decided to do was the best thing to do, to step aside and separate himself from the administration,” Coogan said, “and this will allow him to more time to deal with his own legal problems.

Boettner was especially saddened by Price’s decision.

“He was the best thing that happened to Mandeville,” the long time council member said Friday night. “It’s a damn shame.”

Boettner said she saw Price Thursday and he told her then of his plans.

The next step for the council is to call an emergency meeting as soon as possible to appoint someone to temporarily replace Price. According to the charter, the council has 10 days to appoint an interim mayor. If they do not Gov. Bobby Jindal will have to make the appointment.

Lenfant said Friday evening she was going to meet with City Attorney David Cressy before proceeding to find out the exact protocol that must be followed as far as making the appointment.

“I want to assure the city of Mandeville that all of the rules and protocol are followed,” she said.