South Bend City Council President Sharon McBride, a Democrat, is being pressured to resign a position she has held under false pretenses. She has not resided in her council district for most of the past four years, living with her mother instead.

This case has significance in Logansport where Mayor Chris Martin, a Republican  was aware that former Clerk-Treasurer Stacy Cox had lived outside the city of Logansport, yet declined to resign her position in her final year in office, instead supporting Martin for mayor. Living outside a district -- or a city or county -- you represent, is a felony, which in Indiana will disqualify you from public office.

Meanwhile, Martin named her deputy mayor, then proposed to her. The couple was divorced just prior to the 2023 mayoral election. Cox has never returned the salary she earned while living with friends on Cliff Drive, outside the city limits, while clerk-treasurer. Though this information was disclosed before he took office, Martin has elected to let his former wife off the hook for thousands of dollars owed the city he is in charge of administering.

This ethical predicament is among many reasons in addition to the 10 listed that we ask you to join us in signing a petition demanding his resignation and the appointment of an independent, professionally certified city manager.