Two weeks ago, the Citizen reported in a story on the Clear Lake Twp. that Clerk Mary Mathison announced she will be resigning her position with the township while an employment ad would run in the newspaper. 

 

The next week, the Citizen was notified Mathison had in fact already turned over her duties to Deputy Clerk Barb Hartkopf, with Hartkopf moving from deputy clerk to clerk immediately. Hartkopf was set to be introduced and officially proclaimed clerk at the township’s next monthly board meeting March 17.

 

This week, the Citizen was notified the township had seemingly acted in haste in accepting Mathison’s resignation and appointing Hartkopf. 

 

According to Minnesota Association of Township Attorney Troy Gilchrist, because a deputy clerk is directly connected to the clerk  and since the deputy clerk was appointed by the clerk, if the clerk leaves office, the deputy must also leave.

 

Because of these new findings, Mathison has since talked with the supervisors and has decided she will stay on as clerk for the time being until at least the township gets through the busy spring/summer months.