POMEROY — Pomeroy Village Council officially accepted the resignation of Mary McAngus as mayor of the village during Monday’s council meeting.

A unanimous vote of Council ended the tenure of McAngus, who was elected as mayor of Pomeroy in November 2011 and began her term in January 2012.

McAngus submitted her resignation in a sealed envelope on Saturday to council member Victor Young, who along with Council President Jackie Welker, opened the letter Saturday afternoon.

The letter which was read by Welker and obtained by The Daily Sentinel, reads as follows:

To the Resident of the Village of Pomeroy, Ohio,

Due to circumstances, I am resigning my position as Mayor of Pomeroy, as of today, Saturday, February, 9, 2013. It has been a pleasure for me to serve the ones that have supported me.

Thank you,

Mary McAngus

McAngus’ resignation comes amid allegation of discrimination against an openly gay officer which attracted a national media fire storm regarding the small village.

McAngus did not address the specific allegations in the letter and has not commented since an emergency meeting of Pomeroy Village Council was held a week ago. McAngus did not return calls made on Friday or Monday. She simply stated Thursday that she had no comment.

As for where the village goes from here, Ohio Revised Code 733.25, reads in part,

In case of the death, resignation, or removal of the mayor, such president pro tempore shall become the mayor and shall hold the office until his successor is elected and qualified. Such successor shall be elected to the office for the unexpired term, at the first regular municipal election that occurs more than forty days after the vacancy has occurred.

Welker, as president of Council, will fill the position until the time at which the election is held and the winner of the election determined to be qualified to take office.

Welker has been working with the Board of Elections and Village Solicitor Michael Barr to determine how to proceed with filling the position for the remainder of McAngus’ term. Welker said the position will likely appear on the November general election ballot.

No action was planned for Monday’s meeting to fill the seat which was held by Welker. The vacancy must be filled by appointment through council within 30 days. Welker’s term as a member of council is up for re-election in November.

A new President of Council will also have to be elected.

During Monday’s meeting, Welker thanked all those in attendance and thanked council for being present as a whole. Following the brief meeting, Welker invited any supporter of either side of the issue to stay and speak with him regarding recent events.

“This issue is behind us as a village, and we can move forward,” said Welker. “We have continued support and confidence in all village employees as they move forward.”

Present at the meeting were Welker, council members Dru Reed, Robert Payne, Young, Phil Ohlinger, and Ruth Spaun, clerk Sonya Wolfe, Police Chief Mark Proffitt, and Village Administrator Paul Hellman. Approximately 18 members of the public were also in attendance for the meeting, along with members of the media from around the region.