JEFFERSON - The mayor of Jefferson has resigned.
On Friday, Mayor Jeff Fratangelo issued a statement, according to the local newspaper, the Jefferson Jimplecute: "I have proudly served as mayor of the City of Jefferson, but it is time for me to focus on my family and my business."
It is the latest episode in an ongoing saga in city government for the Marion County seat. This month, City Administrator Shawn Farrell and eight-year city employee Charles Jones resigned, effective Sept. 1. A 44-year city employee, James Barr, is retiring Sept 1 as well.
During an Aug. 7 meeting at city hall, Jefferson aldermen appointed four people for a search team committee for the Jefferson City Administrator position. According to the Jimplecute, The council agreed that the committee should bring 4-6 of the 12 applicants back to the council.
The resignations come just a few months after controversy surrounding the mayor prompted other city leaders to quit, according to KTBS in Shreveport. In March, the town's police chief, Hollis Shadden and Farrell resigned. Officials say the two were fed-up with having confrontations with Mayor Fratangelo. That prompted three city aldermen to call for the mayor's resignation during a special-called meeting in April.
At the time, Fratangelo denied the accusations against him and refused to resign.
Farrell was asked to stay in his position and agreed to do so through September. But, last week, both men had a change of heart. On Monday, Farrell quit and four days later, on Friday, Fratangelo turned in his letter of resignation.
The city secretary says both Fratangelo and Farrell's letters of resignation have not yet been accepted by the city council, so she would not disclose them to KTBS. The letters will be considered for acceptance at the council's meeting Tuesday night.
