Hedley mayor resigns over town rumors

The mayor of Hedley has resigned his office after becoming frustrated with a growing rumor mill in that community.

Lonnie Roby turned in a letter of resignation on August 8, and the city council accepted it during a called meeting last Thursday, August 17.

In a copy of the letter obtained by the Enterprise, Roby wrote that it had been a privilege to serve the community for several years as a council member, mayor pro-tem, and mayor, but that he felt “a good mayor needs to spend more time being a mayor than I am able to give.”

Following Roby’s signature, he also wrote that he had asked City Secretary Ginger Burnett to go with him and his wife to take a drug test for herself. He wrote that she would do this, but then changed her mind after speaking to Mayor Pro-tem Carrie Butler.

Burnett told the Enterprise that she felt like Roby’s request was unusual, so she had talked to Butler who advised her that this was not how Hedley’s city policy was written. Burnett then refused Roby’s request.

Roby told the Enterprise that he was tired of constant rumors about Burnett and the city and that in his mind the quickest way to clear up the matter was for Burnett to take a drug test.

“I didn’t believe she was doing drugs,” Roby said. “I still don’t believe it. All I wanted to do was clear her name. We need to stop this rumor because it’s running the City of Hedley down.”

Roby said he still supports Burnett; but when she wouldn’t help him clear her name, he no longer wanted to serve the city.

“I don’t want to put her down,” Roby said. “I think she does a good job for the city.”

Burnett says the Hedley council will meet in called session this Friday to appoint someone to fill Roby’s seat.