On Monday, Rep. Philip A. Cressey, R-Cornish, resigned his seat in Maine House District 99. The resignation takes effect Tuesday, Sept. 11.

Cressey, who had served a district encompassing Baldwin, Cornish, Denmark, Limington and Sebago since 2000, faced the possibility of a hearing in the House Ethics Committee over questions about his residency. He and his family moved to Rowley, Mass., in the spring where Cressey became a temporary pastor at First Baptist Church in Rowley.

While Cressey said he visited his district at least once a week and still paid taxes in the area, House Majority Leader Glenn Cummings, D-Portland, said Cressey missed about 85 percent of House roll calls and had a similar attendance record in Legislative committees as the House session progressed through the spring.

House Minority Leader Josh Tardy, R-Newport, said he was concerned about Cressey’s flagging attendance and the conflicting demands of the pulpit and state house even though he believed Cressey could still be considered a legal resident of his district.

Both Tardy and Cummings praised Cressey for his service and candor. Cressey did not return phone calls asking about his resignation.

For the full story on Cressey’s resignation, read this week’s Lake Region Weekly or log on to www.keepmecurrent.com.