Flowery Branch City Councilman Chris Fetterman resigned his post Tuesday, just two days before he was set to be sworn in to a second four-year term.

Fetterman said in a letter to the City Council and other city officials that he was quitting because of a job transfer to Florida.

He also addressed Flowery Branch residents in his letter.

"Thank you for all your support during the first four years I served you and thank you for your support during the last election," Fetterman said. "I do apologize that I must resign, but I must look out for my family and their needs."

He also pointed out in the letter that all the council members live in Sterling on the Lake, a 2,000-acre subdivision off Spout Springs and Capitola Farm roads.

"Not to take away their ability to govern or the fact they do represent the whole city, but equal representation from all areas of the city is needed," Fetterman said.

"With two seats now open, and one set of candidates qualified, I hope other people will run for the seat I am resigning from other areas within the city."

Fetterman won the Nov. 8 election to the council's Post 2 seat, defeating former councilwoman Mary Jones.

He was scheduled to be sworn in at Thursday's City Council meeting, along with new Councilman Damon Gibbs, who defeated incumbent Post 1 Councilwoman Amanda Swafford on Nov. 8.

"I had every intention of serving out a four-year term," Fetterman said in a phone interview later. "But when the company decided they needed me to transfer, I had to do what they wanted. And that's just unfortunately the way it works in the private sector."

The new job, a managerial position over the state of Florida, came about after the election took place. "It's been fast moving in the last few weeks," Fetterman said.

Mayor Mike Miller said he felt confident the city could hold the special election by March 6, when another special election replacing former councilman Kris Yardley is scheduled.

"We're working with the Secretary of State's Office and our attorney on an action plan of how to fill the seat," he said.

The council now is down to council members Tara Richards, Joe Anglin and Gibbs.

The March 6 election is especially key, as Richards said she faces a six-month deployment to Afghanistan possibly starting in late February or early March.

Richards is a captain in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, civil engineering.

The city charter requires a mayor or interim mayor and three council members to conduct a meeting.

The council faced a similar struggle in 2010, when then-Councilman Craig Lutz resigned to run for the Hall County Board of Commissioners and then-Mayor Diane Hirling resigned to retire to Florida.