Battle brewing against city & mayor

SOUTHPORT, Ind. (WISH) - The city of Southport is without police protection after all officers and the chief quit because of a conflict with the city's mayor.

Council members said the police department resignations are the last in a series of events that has them pitted against their own mayor, a man they say has spent tens of thousands of dollars worth of city money on attorneys.

Southport is a town of only 1,800 people, a place where folks still sit on their porches to chat. Lately, Mayor Rob Thoman has been the talk of the town.

A former Southport council member, Greg Dent, voted for Thoman. "And I would like to apologize for that and I would like to apologize to anyone who voted for him at my request," he said.

Council Member Susan Schmoll regrets her decision, too. "He had the police remove this 70-year-old man and it's cost the city close to $35,000 to sue this man to keep him quiet and that is done without our knowledge or our approval."

Charles Lynch, who attends every council meeting, was the man sued by Mayor Thoman. He said Thoman ordered police to arrest him for praying out loud. Something that opened every council meeting until Thoman took office.

"I stood up and when I stood up he grabbed my arm behind me and he handcuffed me," said Lynch. According to Lynch, Mayor Thoman not only sued him with city money, but he's spent a lot of the cities money on lawyers.

"Southport is broke and now he's saying that he can't pay the police department," said Lynch.

Officers and the chief resigned after they said the mayor demanded a speed trap on Southport Road and required that violators pay citations to the city of Southport rather than Marion County.

"I would be surprised if there is a Southport if he stays in office," said Council Member Dent. "I don't think the city could last through his term."

Because the city of Southport does not have a judge or court to handle traffic citation disputes, all citations have to go to Marion County's court system.

Mayor Thoman did not return WISH-TV's calls or messages. He is expected at Monday night's monthly council meeting and many residents plan to be there.

Check back with WISHTV.com for updates on this story.