OSAWATOMIE — Osawatomie City Council member Amanda Martin has resigned effective today. The Osawatomie Graphic reports Martin sent her resignation in an e-mail to the mayor and council members. The Graphic reports Martin was harshly criticized at a recent city meeting by Mayor Mark Govea and her fellow council members. At the meeting, council vice president Karen Laduex read a statement entitled “misconduct statement,” on behalf of the rest of the council, and Tamara Maichel also read a statement accusing Martin of unprofessional and distasteful conduct, the paper reports. Martin was accused of meeting with members of the rural fire board and advising them on their contract with the city, wasting city money by not showing up for the League of Kansas Municipalities meeting after agreeing to do so, and accusing other council members of criminal acts. She also called a town hall meeting without telling other council members or city officials. In her e-mail and in a letter to the editor of the Graphic, Martin defended her actions but conceded she may have made mistakes. She said actions by other council members were not for the greater good of the citizens, the city, or the community. Martin, who represented Ward 2, was elected last April by upsetting incumbent council member Mike Moon by 19 votes.
Monday, Feb. 3, 3 p.m.
