Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Less than a week after winning the Republican caucus for the Kosciusko County Council at-large seat vacated by DeLynn Geiger, local attorney John Barrett has resigned, effective immediately.
In his resignation letter Monday to Kosciusko County Clerk Melissa Boggs and Kosciusko County Republican Party Chairman Mike Ragan, Barrett wrote, “After much prayer and deliberation, I have decided to submit this letter as my formal written notice of resignation from my position as a member of the Kosciusko County Council. My resignation is effective immediately.
“In Indiana, a contract public defender, like me, is not precluded by any law from serving both as a contract public defender and as a member of county council. However, that dual role, in my situation, will cause many conflicts requiring my recusal from numerous pressing matters. As a result, I have decided to step aside.
“Lastly, I really appreciate the support I received from many long-time friends and acquaintances throughout this process. I submit this resignation with a heavy heart,” he concluded.
Barrett, a Warsaw attorney, won the caucus Jan. 6 by a vote of 40-16 over former Kosciusko County Commissioner Brad Jackson.
Barrett attended Thursday’s County Council meeting but abstained from almost every vote except the Syracuse-Turkey Creek Township Library bond resolution vote, which was 4-3 in favor.
Asked after the meeting about the abstentions, Barrett said he was waiting to hear back from the state as he has a contract with the county and is a public defender.
Ragan said a new caucus to replace Barrett on the county council will be at 6 p.m. Feb. 10 in the old courtroom of the Kosciusko County Courthouse.
Eligible members of the caucus, by statutory definition, are the Republican Precinct committee members who have served continuously for 30 days before the commencement of the caucus.
The council member shall be elected by a secret ballot of the majority of the voting caucus members to fill the office vacancy. Candidates must reside in Kosciusko County and be a Republican in good standing.
Declarations of candidacy are available at the office of the Kosciusko County Clerk of the Circuit Court, 121 N. Lake St., Warsaw, and must be filed with Ragan no later than 72 hours before the start of the caucus. Ragan’s phone number is 574 -265-1430.
Eligible candidates will be allowed a maximum of three minutes to address the voting caucus.
