Trombley resigns, cites work conflict
Council Chair Jennifer Trombley
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — City management continues to change, following the resignation of Council Chair Jennifer Trombley during Monday night’s meeting.
Trombley, who’s been a member of the City Council for about 10 years, said she was “sorry to see myself go,” and although she enjoyed “being here,” she regretted “not being able to fulfill my term.”
“It’s a conflict of interest with my job,” Trombley said, in explanation for her decision.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
THANKED FOR SERVICE — Presque Isle City Council Chair Jennifer Trombley marked her last night with the organization on Monday, April 4, resigning from a position she’s held for about 10 years. Pictured from left are Trombley and Councilman Don Gardner, as he expresses gratitude for her service to the Council and the community.
In her formal letter of resignation, Trombley said it was “with deep regret that I am submitting my resignation from the Presque Isle City Council, effective April 4.”
Trombley continued, “After 10 years of working with you, for you and on behalf of you, my employer has been notified by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), that there is a conflict between my employment at the Presque Isle Housing Authority and my position as an elected official of this municipal legislative body. To begin the process of maintaining my employment, I can no longer serve as a city councilor.”
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
JENNIFER TROMBLEY reaches for her nameplate, after resigning her position as chair of the City Council at the April 4 meeting at City Hall.
Her letter concluded by thanking city management and fellow councilors for their “cooperation, support, respect and patience over the years.”
“It has been an honor representing the city in all aspects; I am truly disappointed to not be able to finish the remainder of my term (which would have expired Dec. 31, 2012),” said Trombley.
Councilman Mel Hovey told Trombley, as a councilor, “you don’t get a lot of pats on the back. You’ve served 10 years on the Council. The time I’ve spent with you on the Council, your common sense and intelligence has been has been very positive. We haven’t always been on the same page, but I know you always acted in what you felt was the best interest of the city. The taxpayers should be thankful you spent 10 years (serving them).”
Councilman Don Gardner echoed Hovey’s praise of Trombley.
“I’ve been with you the whole 10 years. We haven’t always agreed but we’ve managed to work through (disagreements). I appreciate the help and encouragement you’ve offered me,” said Gardner.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
FOND FAREWELL — Jennifer Trombley received a hug from Councilman Mel Hovey, as she made her way from Council Chambers in Presque Isle April 4, following her resignation as chair.
With no additional comments, Councilors Gardner, Hovey, Walt Elish, Emily Smith, Bruce Sargent and Randy Smith voted to accept Trombley’s resignation.
Trombley, holding back tears, quietly rose from her seat and gathered a few possessions, including her name plaque, before leaving the chamber. For her 10 years of service, councilors and the city manager presented her with parting handshakes, with the exception of Hovey, who gave her a quick hug as she made her way from the room.
Emily Smith, deputy chair, then assumed the duties as chair, as councilors began discussing who should formally assume the role of chair.
“You are a good councilor,” began Gardner, addressing Smith. “But you lack experience. You work hard but have not realized your potential. I would nominate Walt Elish as chair and hope Emily would stay on as vice chair, and learn from Walt.”
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
VACANT SEAT — With the resignation April 4 of Council Chair Jennifer Trombley, councilors now have the task of filling the vacant seat. Pictured from left are: Deputy Chair Walt Elish, Councilor Bruce Sargent, Council Chair Emily Smith; Councilors Don Gardner, Randy Smith and Mel Hovey.
With no second, the motion died. Hovey then moved to appoint Smith as chair and it was seconded by Sargent. The motion passed by a vote of 5-1, with Gardner opposed.
Smith was also appointed to replace Trombley on the Audit Committee.
A nomination by Randy Smith for Walt Elish to be appointed as deputy chair was seconded by Gardner, with all councilors voting in favor of the motion.
Now begins the process of filling the vacancy on the Council.
“Council can fill the position as long as it’s done within 30 days, otherwise it would be through election come November,” said City Manager Jim Bennett. “You could call for a special election to fill the term through Dec. 31, 2012. If you take no action tonight, it would default to a special election, costing upward of $3,000 to taxpayers.”
Sargent suggested running an ad to fill the seat. Bennett said traditionally the city sought letters of interest, including a “bio or resume.”
“That would need to be turned in by Wednesday, April 20, and the following Monday, April 25, Council would decide,” said Bennett, reminding councilors that this was something they could not discuss amongst themselves.
“You can’t have conversations with each other about what you’ll do,” he said.
Gardner said past procedures worked in a similar fashion to fill vacancies on the Council.
“In the past, it worked out well where we’ve had people submit a resume or bio. We have a chance to go through them, with no discussion between us, coming up with our own decision. It’s worked,” said Gardner, making a motion that was seconded by Sargent and passed unanimously by councilors to accept applications through April 20 at the city clerk’s office at City Hall.
