Manderson mayor resigns, citizens say new council not sworn in

By BRENDA TENBOER

The Manderson Town Council at its meeting Monday night voted to accept the resignation of Mayor Helen Saunders. Two new council members were also sworn in, but only after all the business on the agenda was conducted.

Elizabeth “Betty” Wilenius, mayor pro-tem, was moved into the role of mayor until the election this fall.

Grace Briggs and mayor candidate Tami Applegarth filled two vacancies on the council and attended to agenda items, but the two were not sworn in until the end of the meeting.

One of the vacancies was created when Dale Freeman resigned earlier this year, the other when Wilenius left her seat to move into that of mayor.

The move was met with disapproval from some of the town’s people in attendance.

Rod Patrick said, “You can’t vote and do business until you’re sworn in, it isn’t legal.”

Many others, who did not introduce themselves before speaking, also made negative comments.

Town attorney Scott McColloch did not attend the meeting.

Town clerk Shannon Kemp said McColloch doesn’t attend town meetings, “unless they think they need him here.”

Resignation

Saunders stood and spoke during the meeting saying she resigned because she had a conflict with Kemp over the budget process.

Kemp presented different versions of the budget and introduced a $35,000 contract after the process was finalized, according to Saunders’ speech.

“I told her (Kemp), I’m not going to fire you, I’m going to resign,” Saunders said.

Saunders also said reasons for resignation included that she is a mother of nine and one of her children is very sick.

Kemp said at the conclusion of the meeting that the different versions of the budget were because as the budget process progressed, line items were changed — a routine process.

“It’s all public information, anyone is welcome at any time to look at it,” she said. “I cross my T’s and dot my I’s.”

Kemp did provide bank statements and other financial statements requested by this newspaper.

At one point during the meeting, municipal law enforcement officer Sean Duffy raised his voice and asked for a stop to the arguing.

Duffy said by the looks of the current balance, there isn’t enough money to pay an officer.

“If that is the case, then I will quit,” he said. “I am not going to go out and write tickets to make sure my job is secure.”

Wilenius said the new fiscal year begins soon and the coffers will be replenished for the new year.

Recently, Duffy who works two jobs in addition to the 10 hours of patrol agreed upon for Manderson, hasn’t been working the full number of hours.

Wilenius said until the new funds come in, the arrangement is working.

A line item for the officer’s wages is included in the approved budget, Wilenius said.