Only 25 needed to remove Christa Acton from office, relive the past

Not sure why the paper didn't have the article "Township Board weighs options on Trustee Jam" on their website, but it is omitted. In the article it speaks of "Unless Acton resigns or is voted out of office, she can be removed only if she is convicted of a felony or a circuit court finds she has failed to do her job properly."

I would think the second part would qualify. It only takes 25 or more residents to file a petition with a circuit court alleging she is incapable of performing her duties due to mental incapacity. What are you waiting for?

That could be acheived today, and I would bet once that happens she would quit as she claims, “Once I resign, yes, you will have a trustee,” Acton said, because of her personal reasons or obligations.

Didn't she think of those obligations before taking the position of Trustee, oh wait when she couldn't pay her bills using township money nor pay her husband anymore to mow so it must have put a strain on their life. 

It is reported... she had used township money for personal expenses; was overpaid thousands of dollars; paid her husband’s mowing service unreasonable amounts of money; and generally did a poor job of keeping records and filing reports.

Remember when Christa said.... Letter to the paper October 2010 (read some of the budget meeting excerpt Sept 2011)

First is, I have not doubled my salary. All decisions are voted on and reviewed in public meetings and by the DLGF. 

This year is about $14,000, and 2011 will be about $7,000. As for mowing, $5,000 was budgeted, contracted and paid out. 

The rest of the money ($9,000) was for about 200 trees removed, storm damage and brush cleanup, all of which was budgeted, contracted and paid. Also all money that is raised by taxes for poor relief and fire protection go to those 100 percent, fire which was doubled when I took office. 

We should not bankrupt the township for fire services but we do support them with the same amount all the surrounding departments get, which is still more than we have, and are working to start an accumulative fund for equipment purchases in future. (Read current day article on The Republic - seems Christa did bankrupt them...)

The Clay Township office in the past four years has not raised taxes and watched out for its fire department and community. 

This is a combined effort. No one person has control. We have done our best and all tax money that comes in has been the same. 

Whether every paper was on time or not, we try to meet every deadline however once or twice ask for an extension due to new programs by state and the changes in how we do our reports. But all documents have been filed and received including conflict of interest forms.

(Current day... it is reported "The Indiana Department of Local Government Finance has set the township’s budget at 2010 levels, claiming the township had missed the deadline for filing a budget request — a responsibility of the trustee. As a result, the township fire department expects to run out of money by July.")

Can it be any clearer? I don't think so! Fire the... you know one word fits in here, but we will omit it and just say Trustee!

Below is the Indiana Code... Good luck 

IC 36-6-4-16

Incapacity; petition; hearing; acting executive; salaries; restoration of capacity; resumption of duties

     Sec. 16. (a) When twenty-five (25) or more resident freeholders of a township file a petition with the circuit court of the county, alleging that the township executive is incapable of performing his duties due to mental or physical incapacity, the clerk of the court shall issue a summons to be served on the executive. The summons is returnable not less than ten (10) days from its date of issue.

    (b) Immediately following the return date set out on the summons, the circuit court shall hold a hearing on the matter alleged in the petition. After hearing the evidence and being fully advised, the court shall enter its findings and judgment.

    (c) If the court finds the executive incapable of performing the duties of office, the clerk of the court shall certify a copy of the judgment to the county executive, which shall, within five (5) days, appoint a resident of the township as acting executive of the township during the incapacity of the executive.

    (d) The acting executive shall execute and file a bond in an amount fixed by the county auditor. After taking the oath of office, the acting executive has all the powers and duties of the executive.

    (e) The acting executive is entitled to the salary and benefits provided by this article for the executive.

    (f) When an incapacitated executive files a petition with the circuit court of the county alleging that the executive is restored to mental or physical ability to perform the duties of office, the court shall immediately hold a hearing on the matters alleged. After hearing the evidence and being fully advised, the court shall enter its findings and judgment.

    (g) If the court finds the executive capable of resuming duties, the clerk of the court shall certify a copy of the judgment to the county executive, which shall, within five (5) days, revoke the appointment of the acting executive.

    (h) For purposes of this section, the board of county commissioners is considered the executive of a county having a consolidated city.

As added by Acts 1980, P.L.212, SEC.5. Amended by P.L.1-2010, SEC.148.

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