TARPON SPRINGS, Fla — Tarpon Springs will need a new mayor after Costa Vatikiotis resigned after what he said was cyber-bullying and vile text messages sent to him.
In the letter, he wrote, "Words have consequences, and these words are especially effective when a commission condones the activity by avoiding any discussion of it."
Vatikiotis called his departure, not quitting but moving on.
"Quitting is giving up because things are difficult, and a person does not want the effort," Vatikiotis said. "A person moving on with his life is being honest with himself and knows when enough is enough. I am moving on."
The mayor said his resignation would be effective Thursday at 5 p.m.
Read the full resignation letter here
Resignation Letter of Mayor Vatikiotis by ABC Action News on Scribd
Vatikiotis was elected mayor in 2022. He has previously been a city engineer, the city manager and was elected to the city commission in 2020.
