Schmucker retires from city council due to health

Renee Schmucker
At this month’s meeting, January 2025, Gainesville City Councilman Renee Schmucker, who has a seat for the center ward, announced that she was resigning from her position due to health issues.
Schmucker told the Times that she has Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, a serious lung condition. The only cure is a lung transplant. She is currently working toward possibly being placed on the list for a lung transplant, which requires her to be gone for various medical appointments and be out for periods of time.
“Due to my health condition, I thought it was the right thing to do,” Schmucker said in a Facebook post announcing her resignation. “They need someone they can depend on being available. I greatly enjoyed my years as an alderman (woman) and appreciate everyone who has voted for me.”
The city council has three positions that will come open during the April General Municipal Election, but Schmucker’s position isn’t one of them. Other city council members who are currently serving are Dana Crisp, Treva Warrick, Lana Bushong and Teri Edades. The positions up for election in April are those of Crisp and Warrick, who have both filed for their respective seats. Another seat, which was been left vacant after city councilman Seth Collins resigned last year, will be filled by Amanda Rogers.
The city council is expected to bring ideas for prospective candidates to Mayor Gail Reich during the Feb. 11, city council meeting. The best candidate could then be appointed to fill Schmucker’s seat for the remainder of the term.