Fatum resigns from county council
Howard County Councilwoman Leslie Fatum resigned her seat on May 24 due to relocating out of state. As the sole Democrat on the council, she felt the need to reach across the aisle and express her admiration for the six Republicans on the council.
“This is my last meeting with you all as a council member,” said Fatum. “We’re heading down to Greenville, S.C., next month. I have very much enjoyed being on the council. I think you all are very great people.
“I want to say for the record I don’t hate Republicans. Some of my very best friends are Republicans. But I am a very political person and a very proud Democrat. All I can say is that I hope you people, whom I think of as good Republicans, will stand up for what you stand for and stand against some of the reprehensible things that other people who call themselves are doing.”
Council president Jamie Bolser accepted Fatum’s resignation and expressed the council’s gratitude for her service.
“We thank you for your years of service,” said Bolser. “We appreciate your time. Public service is never something easy to do. It’s a time commitment. We wish you very well in your next endeavor.”
KPD shuffles officer ranks
Kokomo Police Chief Doug Stout asked the Kokomo Board of Works and Public Safety to accept the resignation of rank by Capt. Austin McClain. The request was made via memo at the board’s May 25 meeting. No reason was given for the resignation.
The chief also requested that the board approve the promotion of Officer Ty Solomon to the rank of probationary Sergeant. Solomon will serve 180 days in probationary status before achieving the rank.
The board accepted both recommendations.
Sheriff’s deputy resigns rank
Howard County Sheriff Jerry Asher confirmed this week that Corporal Adam Whitfield voluntarily resigned his rank earlier this month. The sheriff declined the discuss the details of Whitfield’s demotion, stating only that the sheriff’s department conducted an internal investigation into an undisclosed incident involving the deputy, and that he stepped down of his own volition.