Humble City Council appoints Mark Martin to replace outgoing council member

Humble City Council members at their Dec. 8 meeting appointed Mark Martin to replace outgoing Council Member Charles Cunningham until the city’s next election in May.

Cunningham, who was elected to represent District 127 in the Texas House of Representatives in May, officially resigned from his position during the Dec. 8 meeting. Cunningham ran unopposed in the Nov. 8 election after securing his party's nomination in the March primaries.

According to Mayor Norman Funderburk, Martin has been affiliated with the city of Humble for 42 years in several capacities, having served as a firefighter, a fire inspector, an emergency management coordinator, an assistant city manager and a part-time facilities manager.

“Most of us have known Mark for most of our lives,” Funderburk said. “He’s imminently qualified with the knowledge and experience of how the city operates, the inner workings of each department, the relationship between council and the city manager and the departments. Mark, we’re thrilled that you had this willingness to serve.”

With the appointment, Martin will now serve the remainder of Cunningham’s term until a new council member is elected in the May 6 election. Per stipulations previously laid out by Funderburk, Martin will not be eligible to run for the seat.

Funderburk thanked Cunningham for his time spent as a council member.

“It's bittersweet,” Funderburk said. “We’re thankful that we’ve had you for two terms. ... You’re going to be doing great things for a much bigger area, so we’re excited about that.”

Cunningham, who also previously served as a trustee for Humble ISD, said he has cherished his time working with the city.

“To all my colleagues, I love you guys and appreciate you,” Cunningham said. “Let me not forget, most importantly, the one that allows me to all of this: my wife, Stella. ... I’m looking forward to representing this area.”