Canton Economic Development Agency Chairman Kevin Jackson and members Glenn Arnold and Tyler Brown have formally resigned, according to e-mails sent to Town Clerk Linda Smith Friday morning and forwarded to media at their request.
Jackson and Arnold indicated they resigned Thursday but town officials said nothing official was filed with the Town Clerk until Friday morning.
The e-mail from Jackson states:
"Dear Linda,
Please accept this email as my official resignation from the Economic Development Agency. This resignation was rendered in person to Dick Barlow and Bob Skinner yesterday afternoon at 3:43 pm.
While it has truly a pleasure serving the community we're proud to call home, I cannot continue to volunteer my full efforts to an ever expanding hostile environment of lies and duplicity.
It's a true shame the petty and unbecoming behaviors of our CAO and the Board of Selectman and their political games have forced yet another full and productive team of dedicated professionals to resign from positions at which they were extremely effective.
Should you require anything further, please don't hesitate to ask.
My best to you.
Sincerely,
Kevin Jackson"
Arnold's initial note simply stated, "Please consider this as my immediate resignation from the Canton EDA. A formal resignation letter will follow."
Arnold later sent the following:
"I really enjoyed serving on the EDA with a team of vibrant and competent professionals. Unfortunately, I cannot continue my voluntary service to our town due to the unbecoming, unethical and cowardly behavior of the CAO and the Board of Selectmen. The lack of accountability and the absence of leadership from this group is appalling and the unfortunate result is another dismantled group of professionals that made up our EDA. Our town has so much potential, but unfortunately, without competent leadership, that potential will never be unleashed and realized.
If there is anything more that you need or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to let me know.
Regards,
Glenn Arnold"
Brown's term was up July 1, 2013 and his e-mail simply stated, "I hereby resign."
Find out what's happening in Cantonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Wednesday night, the Board of Selectmen voted to file ethics complaints against Jackson and Arnold as well as investigate causes to potentially remove the two from the agency. See that earlier story here.
Find out what's happening in Cantonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Friday morning First Selectmen Richard Barlow said the entire Board of Selectmen would have to decide how to proceed with the actions voted on Wednesday night.
"We'll take it up as a board at the next board meeting," Barlow said. He declined comment on the resignations.
A document sent to selectmen Wednesday from Arnold, which Jackson said he authored, titled "EDA Work" can be found here.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
