Two residents used the Oct. 6 public-comment period at the Logansport Common Council meeting to raise separate, related concerns involving Mayor Chris Martin.

Paul Wilhelm, who identified himself from 630 South Fifteenth Street, said he had learned that the city payroll department was ordered to appear in Cass Circuit Court for a garnishment hearing related to a debt he said involved the mayor. Wilhelm said the garnishment was for $4,195 and that court dockets indicate a separate case of about $8,000 involving the mayor. "This is a very, very bad situation for our city," Wilhelm said, urging the council to consider whether any council resolution or review should follow.

Another commenter, Dave Kitchall of 1423 North Street, said he is carrying a citizen petition demanding the mayor’s resignation. Kitchall said the petition was approaching 400 signatures and read a selection of statements from signers criticizing the mayor’s performance on issues including enforcement of local ordinances and downtown vitality.

Kitchall also urged the release of email records involving the mayor and a local basketball league. He said the city attorney had informed him those emails were sent to the city insurance agent for review, and he referenced a ruling by the state public access counselor that similar records fall within public-access law. "I would request that you obey state law that you release those emails as soon as possible," Kitchall said.

Mayor Chris Martin did not make new public statements during the comment period recorded in the minutes; council members did not announce a formal inquiry or agenda item in response. The comments were delivered in the public-comment portion of the meeting, and no formal council action on the allegations was recorded that evening.

The city clerk-treasurer or city attorney would be the offices that normally handle garnishment notices and public-records requests; meeting remarks noted inquiries would be followed up through the appropriate offices rather than by a council vote that night.