Editors note: This article has been edited to clarify the source of the letter presented to the Shelburn town council.
SHELBURN, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)– Residents in the town of Shelburn are still looking for answers after controversy struck the community to start 2024.
As we previously told you, citizens in the small town spoke up earlier this year after the Shelburn Clerk-Treasurer released a video of another local official entering her office without permission afterhours. Many who spoke asked for an explanation and a possible investigation.
Previous coverage:
- JAN. 4TH: Shelburn community erupts in concern at council meeting
- DEC. 29TH: Shelburn Town Council eliminates Office Manager position
Those same concerns were mentioned during the town council meeting on Tuesday. The crowd filled the room once again, alleging the misappropriation of funds and a lack of transparency from the three councilmembers Jay Southwood, Aaron Lewis and Jared Miller.
Local resident and journalist Isaac Compton presented a letter that was sent to him as well as the town council titled, “Shelburn townspeople’s concerns,” which touched on many of these topics, and several others.
He said the community is seeking the same thing it did earlier in the month — answers.
“All it is in essence is the community wanting to audit the local government,” he said. “We want to know exactly what is going on in the Shelburn government and we want transparency, and that is not happening right now.”
Councilmembers said during the meeting they intended to go over many of these allegations with the Shelburn attorney. Compton said while it isn’t the response they were looking for, he’s still encouraged by the turnout to a meeting that lasted over three hours.
“What I’m very proud of with this community in particular is that there wasn’t much of a die down between the audience in the early January meeting and here on the 30th,” he said. “We’re seeing more active participation, again with that document.”
The next town council meeting will fall on Tuesday, February 13.
