Olathe mayor tenders resignation

MONTROSE — Olathe Mayor Don Perkins resigned Thursday in a letter delivered to Mayor Pro-Tem Dan Kelso.

Perkins, who took office in April of 2008, tendered his resignation two days after the town's board of trustees reversed the termination of Finance Director Pam Woods. Perkins had authorized the termination.

Woods' supervisor, Town Administrator Scott Harold, told Woods to submit her resignation or be terminated at the beginning of June. Woods submitted her resignation, but the board of trustees rejected it 4-3, thus beginning the termination process.

After an executive session with Woods and Harold, Perkins decided to go through with her termination.

Woods appealed the termination to the board of trustees, which reversed the mayor's decision 6-1 at a meeting Tuesday night. Perkins, the seventh board member, voted against the reversal.

Perkins said Friday that the board's decision to reverse Woods' termination was enough to make him resign.

"The town board is taking the business of the town in a direction I do not feel is appropriate," he said, summarizing the letter he tendered and reasons for his resignation.

The other sentence of his two-sentence letter stated he heard what the board said at Woods' appeal meeting and therefore resigned from his office as mayor and position on the planning and zoning board. 

Board of trustee member Doyle James said he knew nothing about the resignation Friday.

Board member Michelle Mousner said she found out about the resignation Thursday and thinks Kelso will become mayor. She added that she and Kelso had discussed the matter and were trying to figure out if the board has to vote or not.

"Right now, it's in limbo," Mousner said.

Perkins also said his understanding is Kelso will take over as mayor. Harold agreed, but both said they are unsure.

"I don't have a procedure in the manual," Harold said. "It isn't in our municipal codes."

Harold said the board may have to take formal action on the resignation and potentially go through the same process with Perkins as they did with Woods.

Mousner said that scenario was unlikely.

Other board members could not be reached Friday.

Look for a follow-up in next week's Daily Press.