FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 19, 2008
Contact: Terry Burns, 437-7867
Marion County Democratic Chairman calls for resignation of county surveyor
INDIANAPOLIS - Marion County Democratic Party Chairman Ed Treacy called today for the immediate resignation of Marion County Surveyor Mary Catherine Barton.
According to information received by the party, it appears that Ms. Barton has only shown up for work sporadically since January and rarely since June 1. The last time Ms. Barton was seen at the City-County Building was last month when she made a brief appearance before a City-County Council committee to make her office's budget presentation.
The party also has learned that Ms. Barton no longer is communicating directly with her staff, which is making the situation in her office even more difficult.
"While I'm deeply concerned about Ms. Barton's well-being, as party chairman I have a responsibility to make sure that elected officials from our party are carrying out their duties to the taxpayers of Marion County. In this case, that doesn't appear to be happening. This isn't about politics, it's about public service," Treacy said.
"We have tried on several occasions in the last few weeks to reach out to Ms. Barton to offer our help and support, but she has ignored all of our efforts. Others in the community have also tried to offer help, but have met the same reaction," Treacy said.
"Unfortunately, given Ms. Barton's decision to refuse our offers of help, I had no choice but to ask her to resign as county surveyor," he said. "This was a difficult decision, but something that had to be done for the good of the people of Marion County and our party."
Barton was first elected county surveyor in 2004. She was defeated in her re-election bid in the May 2008 Democratic Primary.
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Editor's note: Marion County Democratic Party Chairman Ed Treacy will be available for comment today (Sept. 19) from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at county party headquarters, 603 E. Washington St., Suite 100.
Sept. 19, 2008
Contact: Terry Burns, 437-7867
Marion County Democratic Chairman calls for resignation of county surveyor
INDIANAPOLIS - Marion County Democratic Party Chairman Ed Treacy called today for the immediate resignation of Marion County Surveyor Mary Catherine Barton.
According to information received by the party, it appears that Ms. Barton has only shown up for work sporadically since January and rarely since June 1. The last time Ms. Barton was seen at the City-County Building was last month when she made a brief appearance before a City-County Council committee to make her office's budget presentation.
The party also has learned that Ms. Barton no longer is communicating directly with her staff, which is making the situation in her office even more difficult.
"While I'm deeply concerned about Ms. Barton's well-being, as party chairman I have a responsibility to make sure that elected officials from our party are carrying out their duties to the taxpayers of Marion County. In this case, that doesn't appear to be happening. This isn't about politics, it's about public service," Treacy said.
"We have tried on several occasions in the last few weeks to reach out to Ms. Barton to offer our help and support, but she has ignored all of our efforts. Others in the community have also tried to offer help, but have met the same reaction," Treacy said.
"Unfortunately, given Ms. Barton's decision to refuse our offers of help, I had no choice but to ask her to resign as county surveyor," he said. "This was a difficult decision, but something that had to be done for the good of the people of Marion County and our party."
Barton was first elected county surveyor in 2004. She was defeated in her re-election bid in the May 2008 Democratic Primary.
-30-
Editor's note: Marion County Democratic Party Chairman Ed Treacy will be available for comment today (Sept. 19) from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at county party headquarters, 603 E. Washington St., Suite 100.
