Hagar Township’s treasurer unexpectedly turned in her resignation Monday night; it’s effectively immediately and apparently it was over the issue of pay.
Immediate-past treasurer, former state senator Kim LaSata – who was just elected to the post last November, resigned at Monday night’s township council meeting. The board had just approved motions to increase the pay for the township clerk, supervisor, and trustees. LaSata then offered a motion to increase her salary as treasurer. The motion failed, and that’s when things went awry.
“The good ol’ boy network in Hagar Township is alive and well. Every man on the board received an increase, except the only one that didn’t And I was disparaged… It’s really a toxic environment,” said LaSata.
Township Supervisor Izzy DiMaggio says this boils down to a personnel issue and he, “totally disagrees” with LaSata’s statement about a “good ol’ boys network,” calling it nonsense.
“There are some other things going on that, you know, if she wants to discuss it, she can certainly discuss that, but that’s not an accurate statement,” said DiMaggio.
The board immediately accepted LaSata’s resignation and appointed Deputy Treasurer Kay Ohst to serve as treasurer, at least temporarily and likely until the next election opportunity.
LaSata says she wishes the township well and will now focus on her role as an educator and teaching students because that’s where her heart is.
