Claiming he didn’t have enough time in his schedule to adequately do the job, Clarkston Councilman Bill Rausch has resigned his seat.
Rausch, who was elected in the November, 2006, election with 74 write-in votes, served as the council’s police laison and dedicated much time and energy as a member of the Police Chief Selection Committee.
‘I’m disappointed,? said Mayor Sharron Catallo, noting she received Rausch’s letter of resignation Sept. 2, but told him she intended to ‘hold on to it? in case he changed his mind.
In 15 years as the city’s mayor’Catallo also served as village president before the city incorporated in 1992’she could remember only two or three times when an elected official resigned from the council.
Those instances, she said, were related to a change in employment or similar circumstance.
‘I’m not pleased,? she said. ‘We appreciate everything he’s done, but I don’t agree with his decision to resign.?
Catallo declined comment on whether Rausch’s resignation was related to a recent disagreement over the selection of a police chief, but his decision immediately followed the PCSC vote to hire Dale LaCroix.
At a recent council meeting, Rausch’the only member of the committee to vote against LaCrox’voiced displeasure over the selection and said he would not support the new chief.
Council members said they’d heard rumors about the resignation, which remained unconfirmed until Monday’s council meeting.
‘Although I disagreed with Mr. Rausch and the way he did things, I respected his opinion,? said Councilman Cory Johnston. ?(Rausch and I) do things differently, but we’re a lot alike.?
Both, he said, share a willingness to express unpopular opinions and approach difficult subjects.
Coouncilwoman Kristy Ottman, who sat on the PCSC along with Rausch, was frustrated by the decision, as well.
‘I’m disappointed,? she said. ‘Bill has a lot to bring to the table and I wish he would have reconsidered.?
The council voted unanimously to accept the resignation, however, and Mayor Sharron Catallo said she’d spoken with Charles Inabnit, also a member of the PCSC, about assuming the vacant seat.
Check www.ClarkstonNews.com and next week’s edition for updates to this story.