The town of Sidney will be looking for someone to fill its clerk-treasurer position yet again.
Lydia Neal gave her letter of resignation to the Sidney town council, specifically to council president Sharon Rancourt, Saturday, effective immediately, said Mike Ragan, Kosciusko County Republican chairman. The letter was forwarded to Ragan, and he said he is unaware of the reason for Neal’s resignation.
“On this day, May 9, 2020, I, Lydia Neal, appointed clerk-treasurer on Feb. 25, 2020, do hereby submit my resignation to the board of Sidney,” is the only thing Neal’s resignation letter states.
“I’m very disappointed,” Ragan said. “I know Lydia has a heart for Sidney, and I’m very disappointed it didn’t work out.”
Neal is the sixth person to resign their clerk-treasurer or town board position in Sidney this year.
Former clerk-treasurer Lana Wolfe resigned, along with town board member Republican Ricky Bradley, as there were some questions about how they came to office, and Democrat Kenneth Koontz, who resigned due to his failing health. All three resigned in January. The only Sidney official who did not resign at that time was Democrat Jack Wolfe. Bradley was replaced by Republican Rancourt and Lana Wolfe was replaced by Republican Etta Hurd, appointed by Ragan on Jan. 23. Koontz was replaced by Democrat Gavin Parrett, appointed by Kosciusko County Democrat Party chairman Brian Smith.
Neal was appointed to the clerk-treasurer position Feb. 25 after Hurd resigned Feb. 10. Jack Wolfe resigned effective March 15 after Rancourt asked for his resignation. When Jack did not initially offer to resign from the council completely, the council was looking to call for a special meeting to kick Jack off the town council.
Ragan said he told Rancourt he would have someone appointed by the town council’s June meeting. He has a minimum of 10 days and a maximum of 30 todays to appoint someone to the clerk-treasurer’s seat. Ragan said he will send a notice to local media about the time and location for the caucus today.
Calls to Neal and Rancourt went unanswered as of deadline Sunday.
