Mayor Jill Krout from the City of Greenfield tendered her resignation, effective immediately, at a meeting last night. The following is her resignation letter:

Dear Greenfield Residents:  It has been my privilege and honor to serve you for three years. After serious deliberation, prayer, and discussion  with my family, I have made the tough decision to resign as Mayor of Greenfield.

I ran for mayor because of great concern with out-of-control and excessive spending by previous councils.  I believed I could do a good job because of my business background and conservative values.  I ran on a platform  of fiscal responsibility, accountability, and preserving the rural character of Greenfield. My record speaks for  itself:

•  Reduced general fund spending 23% from 2006 to 2008.   Actual spending 2006: $1,392,075; 2008: $1,070,856. That is a reduction of over $320,000.  (2009 actuals will be available at year end.)

•  For 2010: cut the budget 6.5% and cut the tax levy 7%, while covering a 12% increase in the debt levy  compared to 2009.

•  Cut spending without cutting service by getting competitive bids, outsourcing work, and negotiating  contracts.

•  Worked to limit city spending increases.  Unfortunately, this effort was blocked by the “new” Charter  Commission.

•  Had city council and charter meetings videotaped (the latter over objections from new Charter  Commissioners).

•  Requested to have the Charter Commission record their votes by name for accountability. The new  commissioners refused.

•  Sought to reduce conflict of interests in city decisions – especially over land use.

•  Worked to give residents an opportunity to propose ordinances and to vote on existing ordinances. This  was in the charter presented to the city last May, but that charter was recalled by the new Charter  Commission.

Much of this is about money, power, and taking on the old boy network.

During the 2006 election, no one else ran against incumbent mayor Larry Plack.  I was elected with an  overwhelming majority. In 2008, I won again in a three-way race, against a 26 year councilor and one other  candidate.  I had not planned to run, but I felt if that councilor was elected mayor, taxes would skyrocket, undoing  what we worked so hard for.

The former mayor brought suit against me and the city; it was dismissed with prejudice by the district court.

City Insurance

Our deductible jumped from $500 to $200,000. Our insurer paid out eight times as much as we paid in for the last  five years.  Per our city attorney, “They are looking at the one issue that has caused the greatest loss.”

It is important to note that the costliest lawsuit, which cost about $565,000, involved the 2006  administration, not the current council.

Resolving the insurance issue requires a methodical approach, not panic. Some are calling for drastic measures  such as dissolving the city.  That seems very extreme. The city may find insurance coverage and/or use our more  than adequate reserves to provide reasonable protection.  We need to focus on the issue.

Contention

The council and mayor are expected to work through issues together for the good of the city.  When the council  votes and the decision is split, the majority vote carries. Unfortunately, the minority was often less than gracious.

There has been an organized effort to disrupt and delegitimize the majority council.  Some opponent(s) became so extreme that one or more of them posted false and inflammatory comments on the internet using my name, as  though the twisted comments were coming from me. Impersonating an elected official is a punishable offense.  There is also a web site that disparages me and others and presents fiction as fact.  The sponsors of this site should step forward into the light of day.

The most challenging part of these unrelenting attacks has been the affront to my character and reputation. These  things are just the tip of iceberg of which I and my family have had to endure. I endured it only because I was  strengthened by my faith, my family, and my friends, and my commitment to building a better Greenfield.  Now,  however, I feel called to resign, effective immediately. I hope that my resignation will encourage cooperation in the  community.

In conclusion

I stayed true to a platform of fiscal responsibility, accountability, and preserving the rural character of Greenfield. I have a clear conscience. I have served the community to the best of my ability. I served with integrity, intent on  the good of all residents of Greenfield, both now and in future generations. I ask God to bless each of you, friend and foe alike. By God’s amazing grace, He loves us all. My prayerful desire  is that God will richly bless and guide our community today and in the years ahead.

Sincerely,  Jill Krout, Mayor of Greenfield