The e-mail conversations between Logansport Mayor Chris Martin pertaining to a sponsorship agreement and rooms at the Super 8 Motel for the Iron Hodrses basketball team are the subject of pending litigation, according to an email from Logansport's Clerk-Treasurer today.

Former Mayor Dave Kitchell requested the emails -- a public record under Indiana law -- on July 11. State Public Access Counselor Jennifer Ruby confirmed in an email that the city should have responded to the request within 24 hours. In this case, the next business day would have been a week ago today.

Clerk-Treasurer Tyler Pearson's e-mail involved City Attorney Kelly Leeman's office and was copied to Martin.

An attorney representing Super 8 contends the city owes the motel more than $46,000 in unpaid bills for the team and has sought the money on numerous occasions. The city maintains it is a league issue and doesn't involve them, though a Pharos-Tribune story confirmed that Martin had negotiated a sponsorship agreement with the motel's owner. He has already spent more than $50,000 of discretionary funds to promote the team.

As the costs of this debacle continue to mount, the signatures demanding Martin's resignation continue to rise. We again implore you on behalf of our city's future to sign and share this petition for the good of Logansport -- for better days ahead.

Thank you and have a great day.