For a town of less than 1000 people, Lexington has some pretty exciting politics. The latest development: Glenn Howard of the Lexington town council has abruptly resigned, midway through a town meeting held last Tuesday, December 6.
Michael Ryan for The Daily Mail reports that Howard's resignation was tied into his residency. Residency has been a contentious issue in town government; both town supervisor Greg Cross and town board member Keith Mellott have come under fire for residing outside of Lexington while serving in office.
Howard said he was resigning midway through his first 4-year term to “squelch any rumors” circulating in the community about his residency, noting he has “moved to another address” outside town due to a “personal issue.”
Another seat on the town council is in limbo, as two candidates in this year's town council race, incumbent Democrat Lynn Byrne and Republican William Pushman, received exactly the same number of votes. Howard recommended Pushman as a replacement for his seat:
“He is as honest as they come,” Howard said of Pushman. “He’ll do a great job and it’s the right thing to do.”
Mellott then proposed that the tied vote-getters, Pushman and Bryne, both be placed on the town council in January.
With two vacant seats and two candidates in deadlock, appointing both seems like a handy solution. But the issue is on hold for the new council to decide in January. When the new council takes office, it will consist of just three members: newly-elected Democratic town supervisor Dixie Baldrey, newly-elected Democrat Jo Ellen Schermerhorn, and incumbent Republican J. John Berger. The three-member council could appoint anyone, or no one, to fill the two vacant posts.
Commenting on a previous article on the town board, Lexington in a "governing Twilight Zone," Byrne had this to say:
Lexington is moving in the right direction after board member, Keith Mellot, recommended at last night's meeting the appointment for Glenn Howard's seat (resigned at 7:30 last night) be put on hold until the new town board is in place in January. Berger made a motion to appoint Pushman, seconded by Cross. Mellot and I opposed to table appointment until hopefully, January.
