Potential ethics/fraud violation discussed
A regular meeting Tuesday of the DeGraff Village Council began with appointing a returning member to fill a vacant council seat, and concluded with the resignation of the town’s fiscal officer in part because the council declined to select the more experienced candidate for that vacancy.
Barb Butler was appointed by council in a 4-2 vote to fill an expiring term for Beth Neeley, who was previously council president but became mayor last month after her predecessor Jennifer Bowman abruptly resigned at the outset of the January council meeting.
Butler previously served on council, but resigned in July of last year, citing health reasons. Stephanie Osborne also petitioned council for the open seat. For the second time in about six months, she was passed over.
Osborne had also asked to be considered to fill the seat vacated by Butler last summer, but was passed over then, too, in favor of current councilwoman Kassie Staley.
Osborne previously served eight years on council, and was also a two-term mayor, holding office for eight years.
She has lived in DeGraff for 41 years, “all my married life,” according to a letter of interest submitted to council. Her husband Merle is the longtime village zoning officer.
“Now that I am retired I would like to use my experience in serving our community again,” she wrote.
Immediately before adjourning the meeting, fiscal officer Stephanie Knight announced her resignation to council, effective March 14, citing personal reasons and the disjointed nature of how the council and village are currently operating.
Read complete story in Wednesday’s Examiner.
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