A member of the Danville Ethics Board resigned his position Tuesday, citing concerns that the five-member board had no minorities or women.
Jeffrey Trueblood, who was in the middle of his second term, delivered a letter of resignation to The Advocate-Messenger and City Clerk Donna Peek.
Trueblood said he hoped Linda Tillman, who was replaced by Tom Cummins in June after her three-year term expired, would be reappointed to the committee. Tillman asked for a formal apology at the last City Commission meeting, citing that she was replaced without being asked whether she wanted to continue her service.
If Tillman is not reappointed, Trueblood asks that Mayor Bernie Hunstad and City Commissioners “use all due diligence to nominate and appoint a person more representative of our proudly diverse community.”
With Trueblood’s resignation, the existing members of the board are Cummins, Vaughn Frey, Paul Smiley and Tom Tye.
During a telephone interview today, Hunstad said he did not plan to reappoint Tillman to the board. Hunstad, who plans to recommend an appointment during Monday’s City Commission meeting, said he understands people’s concerns about the lack of diversity on the board.
“There will be a better balance on the Ethics Board,” Hunstad said.
