SALEM (WSLS 10) - After serving on the Salem City Council for the last 21 years, during Monday's council meeting, Vice Mayor John Givens's resignation will take effect.
"I am so proud of the accomplishments we've made in the past 20 years," said Givens in a press release. "We've faced a number of challenges, especially in recent years, but by working together we've overcome them, and I'm thankful the citizens gave me the opportunity to serve."
Givens, a Salem native and Andrew Lewis High School graduate, went on to play football at Virginia Tech and graduated with a business marketing degree. He spent his entire career working for family-owned businesses. He was the president of Givens Lumber and later the owner of Givens Professional Home Inspections.
"Family has always been important to me and it's the reason I'm stepping down at this time," he says. "My mother is at an advanced age and the challenging responsibilities of her care played a big role in helping me reach this difficult decision."
Givens served many years on the city's Audit-Finance committee, the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission, and the Salem Educational Foundation and Alumni Association. In addition, he played a major role in improving relations between citizens and students as a leader of the Roanoke College-Salem Town and Gown committee.