HOULTON, Maine — A valued town leader resigned from the Houlton Town Council last week, leaving an open slot on the governing body.
Mark Horvath, who was into his second term on the Houlton Council, resigned via Zoom on Monday night from his new home in Ottawa, Canada.
“Mark has an extraordinary, analytical mind and was often the voice of reason when discussing issues,” said Council Chair Jane Torres on Friday. “He had that rare ability to listen to all sides before weighing in with his opinion, which gained him a lot of respect. “
Oftentimes Horvath, an astrophysicist, provided reasoned and thoughtful insights during complicated council discussions. During last year’s extensive 2024 Total Solar Eclipse planning and weekend events, his scientific expertise was called upon repeatedly.
Horvath, a devoted eclipse aficionado, taught the community what would happen when the town slipped into midafternoon darkness as the moon came between the earth and sun. He told locals how the winds would pick up, the temperature would drop and animals would potentially react.
Most importantly, he repeatedly warned eclipse viewers about protecting their eyes during totality.
In a public forum just weeks before the event that drew thousands to the small northern Maine town, Horvath explained that when the moon moves off the surface of the sun, there will be a bright purple flash.
“Without proper eye protection during the total solar eclipse that may be the last thing you ever see,” he said, stressing the importance of looking through welder’s glasses or mylar shades — not sunglasses.
“It’s actually happened to people at every eclipse,” Horvath said. “There are people who go blind because they forget about their glasses. Please don’t do that.”
He was one of four featured characters in “A Moment in the Sun,” an eclipse documentary by two New York City filmmakers along with Johanna Johnston, the executive director of the Southern Aroostook Development Corp.; Dave Hutchinson, the Houlton Unitarian Universalist minister; and Erica Burkhart, a local entrepreneur who owns an in-town embroidery business while also running Bulrush Farm with her husband and five children.
“His calm demeanor during some of the more challenging conversations allowed him to offer steady, thoughtful insight at just the right moments, said Houlton Town Manager Cameron Clark. “He played a unique and meaningful role in guiding the council through complex issues with wisdom. It was a pleasure to watch him serve as a citizen, and even more of a privilege to work alongside him during my time as Interim Town Manager.”
On Monday night, Horvath shared his gratitude to the town and the council, adding that he kept his Houlton home, even though he is now living in Canada.
“I have great faith in the town. I have great faith in the Town Council and I think there is a very bright future ahead for everybody,” he said.
Horvath’s seat on the council is now open and Houlton residents may submit a letter of interest to the town to be considered for the vacancy. According to Torres, the council has received two letters of intent at this time.
The Town Council will vote on a nominated candidate at the April 28 meeting. The appointee will serve a term lasting until November, and then will appear on the ballot for voters to decide.
