Residents Press Mayor Over Staff Resignations; Mayor Says Letter Addressed Staff Issues, Not ‘Takeover’

Several residents pressed the Sturgis City Council on leadership and recent staff departures during public comment at the July meeting. Bridal Flint, a decades-long resident, accused ‘‘a cabal’’ including the mayor, a former mayor and the city attorney of attempting to take over management of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and urged the mayor to resign. "You should resign," Flint told the council.

The mayor responded directly, saying the letter Flint cited "was addressing resignations, staff resignations," and that it was meant to respond to online posts and explain why certain staff left. "It was to put some facts out there as to why the resignations came in," the mayor said.

Other public speakers backed and criticized the mayor. David Hershred, a former council member, said the city "cannot sustain a split in city government" and called on the mayor to lead or to find someone who will. By contrast, former council member Dave Martinson urged the public to avoid social-media-fueled division and expressed confidence in the current council and staff.

Council did not take any formal action in response to the comments. The mayor said she would speak further with staff and indicated the matters raised in public comment were being addressed administratively.

The council later moved into executive session; no action was anticipated following that closed session. The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.