NEW PALESTINE — The nine-month battle between Clerk-Treasurer Tonii Pyle and members of the town council has come to an end.
Pyle abruptly resigned on Tuesday, an unexpected twist in a long-running dispute that had grown increasingly contentious in the months after the council fired her father-in-law, town manager Dave Book. The town council will now have an opportunity to choose someone to fill the remaining three-plus years of the unexpired term. The council also can hire an accounting firm to fulfill the clerk’s duties, according to state statute.
Pyle’s resignation letter, delivered late Tuesday, Sept. 8, to Hancock County Clerk Lisa Lofgreen, was brief.
“For the last nine months, the clerk-treasurer’s office has been trying to bridge the gap to create a healthy working environment with the current town council that the town employees and voters expect and deserve,” Pyle wrote. “Unfortunately, that is not going to happen.”
Pyle ran unopposed for the seat as an independent in 2019 after working for several months as an assistant clerk under longtime Clerk-Treasurer Becky Hilligoss. Pyle took office in January.
But she and the council almost immediately came into conflict as council members began to scrutinize the performance of Book, who had been town manager for over 35 years. The council fired Book in March as an investigation was launched into some of his activities, and he died in July.
Among other issues, Book had been accused of running a private wastewater testing and treatment business out of the town’s sewer plant without the council’s knowledge. The issue was under investigation by the Indiana State Police when Book died.
The situation complicated the relationship between Pyle and the council. Members were rebuffed when they sought access to records, ordinances, resolutions or any documentation they requested. Council members stated on numerous occasions — even during public meetings — that Pyle was neglecting her duties as the financial official for the town. They also questioned her skills and qualifications, raising alarms when payroll deadlines were missed.
“It’s unfortunate she sought a position she is not qualified for,” council member Bill Niemier said. “It did not work out well for her or for the town, and I am thankful she resigned.”
Pyle forwarded a copy of her letter to the Daily Reporter when a reporter contacted her for comment.
While she is no longer in office, issues surrounding her tenure may have lingering effects.
Pyle, in a final act of defiance, informed town officials through the town’s attorney that she had created and submitted a 2021 budget to the state without the council’s input or approval.
“We didn’t see it, didn’t review it, and we didn’t approve it,” Niemier said. “We had no participation in creating it whatsoever and she filed it, so we’ll have to get a copy of that and see what needs to be fixed.”
A review of the state’s budget submission process through the Indiana Gateway portal, however, does not show a 2021 budget has yet been submitted. The 12-page 2020 operating budget for the town was listed at $1.7 million. Right now, the council has no idea how much money Pyle requested for town operations next year.
Council President Brandee Bastin noted the council should have a chance to look at anything Pyle submitted to the state before the budget for 2021 becomes official at the end of the year.
“So, even if she did submit something, it’s not final,” Bastin said. “But, in the course of everything else we’re dealing with, the budget will come back to us for an approval sometime in October, and the worst part is we had no idea this was being done by Tonii, so we have no idea what she’s done.”
Town officials have also learned Pyle is preparing two workman’s compensation claims. Town officials in turn are preparing to submit documents to dispute the claims, they said.
Meanwhile, council member Angie Fahrnow said she plans to move forward with her request to the Indiana State Police to continue an investigation into Pyle over possible election law violations related to her petition of candidacy in 2019. Pyle has been accused of soliciting petition signatures inside town hall, which would be a violation.
“But, right now, I’m just concerned about the damage she’s done here,” Fahrnow said. “We’re trying to minimize issues by changing passwords, removing her from accounts and getting keys, making sure all of the documents she’s removed have been returned to the town.”
Pyle moved out of her office last week after several weeks of not working at Town Hall. An undetermined number of town documents were removed, Fahrnow said.
“I just hope we can find everything,” Fahrnow said. “We know she shredded some documents, but we don’t know what.”
Fahrnow noted the council is ready to move forward.
“We’re looking forward to the day we can do some positive things for New Palestine that don’t revolve around Pyle and Dave Book,” Fahrnow said.
