HARTFORD, S.D. (AP) - What was supposed to be a new era for city government in Hartford has instead begun with more disorder.
Mayor Bill Campbell and Councilman Bill Haugen Jr. abruptly resigned on Tuesday night, right before new council members were to be sworn in to office following April’s city election, the Argus Leader reported (https://argusne.ws/21wcYUE ).
It brings to five the number of resignations since November, when an unsuccessful effort to recall Campbell kicked off the months of turmoil. At one point, the city didn’t have enough sitting council members to legally conduct business.
The discord also included the resignation of a councilman following questions about the veracity of his claim that he had received an offensive email from the citizen group behind the effort to oust the mayor. The recall effort was tied to a council decision last summer to remove the city’s economic development director - a decision that was overturned in a public vote in August.
Campbell said he decided to step down after contemplating how best to keep Hartford moving forward.
“I think worst of it all, something that hurt me personally, was seeing Hartford on the news every night,” he said. “That took a toll. It took a toll on the elected officials, it took a toll on the city staff, and it really took a toll on the community.”
Campbell also decried what he called the “passive aggressive” tactics and “drama drummed up on social media” by the citizen group Growing Hartford, though he also said “I forgive anyone associated” with the group.
Growing Hartford member Tony Randall said all of the controversy has led to a more engaged and active community.
“Whatever happens, it’s a good thing,” he said. “The community has united after all this, it’s come together. That’s the bottom line of it.”
The council still has enough members to conduct business. It will appoint a new mayor, according to City Attorney Larry Nelson.
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