With the alleged $45,000 in debt Mayor Chris Martin owes to a local business owner still unresolved, the court dates have been set for two other debtors -- Henry Kay Jewelers and Mike Anderson Auto Credit.

Though Martin said in a Pharos-Tribune story earlier this week that the debts are erroneous attempts to discredit him, a Republican judge, Stephen Kitts of Cass Circuit Court, has set two court dates late this year for hearings on his debts, reported in the Pharos-Tribune.

For a person in charge of preparing and presenting a budget of more than $10 million annually to the city council, it's an alarming situation. It also begs questions about what safeguards are in place to protect the city from unscrupulous spending of city funds.

Given the unresolved situation with the Super 8 Motel, a third wage garnishment hearing may be set in the near future. This unprecedented embarrassment is another glaring example why more than 33 dozen Logansport residents have now shared and signed this petition, demanding that he resign and be replaced by a professional, independent and certified city manager.

Please do likewise.

Thank you for caring for the future of our city.