Buchanan mayor Sean Dennison resigns, cites harassment and vandalism

Sean Dennison, mayor of Buchanan, announced his immediate resignation at the city commission meeting on Aug. 12, 2024, saying harassment and false accusations had made the job untenable. "Tonight, I'm choosing to resign as your mayor and city commissioner effective immediately," Dennison said in a prepared statement to the commission and the public.

Dennison spent several minutes criticizing what he described as a small but loud group that has spread "lies and rumors" about city officials, and said his family and home had been targeted. He told the commission he would not "stand silent when a commissioner verbally degrades city employees" and said continued attacks raised the city's litigation risk and impeded progress.

Several members of the public spoke about the controversy during the public-comment period. John Van Dyke, a Buchanan resident, defended Dennison and said in part, "The truth always wins, and the truth will win here," while Angela Lowery, a candidate for city commissioner, said she had been targeted and apologized for any harm caused by a circulated letter.

Following Dennison's announcement, a commissioner moved to adjourn; the motion was seconded and the roll call was taken, after which the meeting ended. The commission did not take a separate vote on successor arrangements at the meeting.

The meeting record shows the resignation was made publicly at the meeting; the transcript does not specify the immediate procedural steps the commission will take to fill the vacancy or any timing for special meetings. City staff and commissioners indicated other business — including previously scheduled votes and an evaluation of the city manager — had been completed earlier in the same meeting.