Springfield City Council members voted, albeit reluctantly, to accept the resignation of mayor pro tem Jeff Ambrose.

Ambrose submitted his letter of resignation from city of council Oct. 19 after buying a tract of land outside the city limits and making that his residence.

“Recently, I was given an opportunity to purchase one of my dreams, a home with acreage,” he wrote in his resignation letter to city council members. “I know this is a selfish thing to leave the citizens to pursue my personal dreams, but I did. It was a hard decision that I had to make, but I felt it was the right decision with my family to do so.”

Ambrose was appointed to city council in 2007 to finish out the unfinished term of Ron Boatright. He was re-elected in 2009, and his seat will be up for election in 2013.

“I have enjoyed every minute while on council,” Ambrose wrote. “I have been appointed by my peers on council the last two years to be mayor pro tem and hope I have served you well in that capacity.”

As mayor pro tem, Ambrose presided over council meetings from August 2012 in the wake of Jeff Northway’s removal of office until Barton Alderman’s unopposed election to the position. Alderman, who had been mayor previously, returned to the post last month.

“I appreciate everything he has done for the city since he’s been here,” Mayor Alderman said of Ambrose.

“I hate to see it,” said council member Charles Hinely. “He’s a young, bright, hard-working individual, and that’s not something that steps up to help us very often."

Council member Kenny Usher, who was appointed mayor pro tem Tuesday night, also praised his former colleague.

“He’s a solid, straight-up guy to be sure,” he said of Ambrose.