Following a contentious Roachdale Town Council meeting recently, town council president Rick Miles Jr. believes there is no need for concern in the community. 

The questions and contention centered around the resignations of Town Marshal Adrian Lepine, full-time deputy Dave McIntosh and utility employee Mark Ketchem. 

Both Lepine and McIntosh resigned in May, while Ketchem resigned at the beginning of June. 

"I do not believe the public should be concerned about the resignations. One of the resignations was due to personal issues and had nothing at all to do with the town. As for me, I am not worried about the resignations from a town functioning standpoint," Miles told The Putnam County Post.

He admits his concerns are more personal than professional. 

"I like the guys that worked for the town. I thought they did a good job and I enjoyed our conversations. I wish them nothing but the best in whatever they choose to do. That said, the town is limited on what it can provide. Working for a small a town is not going to be for everyone as there will always be small town politics, lack of sufficient advancement and concerns about pay. The board needs to balance the needs of those working for the town and the responsibility of the office as they see it," Miles said. 

As for whether the resignations were a surprise or not, Miles admits only one of them was. 

"The other two were expected. All towns go through many challenges every year and most of the time they do not end up as hotly covered," he said.

And he blames misinformation on social media as a reason the flames were stoked, saying a resident wrote an "inaccurate letter and posted it on Facebook."

"As a town board member, I will never conduct town business on social media, so that just gave the loudest voices a chance to stir things up. Hopefully, the town citizens know the board members try to do what they believe is best for the town and do not make decisions lightly," Miles said. 

One of the accusations lobbed against town council was the town was unsafe due to the resignations, something Miles denies.

"There was never a time when the town wasn't safe due to the resignations and we worked as quickly as we could to get replacements in process," Miles said. 

One of those replacements is Heath M. Kerns, who is back as town marshal, a post he previously held. Kerns was also with the Indiana State Police previously. 

Miles said a total of three people applied for the town marshal post. 

"The decision was made based on who we thought would be the best fit for the town. I believe that proximity was a large factor," Miles said. 

Miles said regardless of the change Roachdale is experiencing he and his town council members have a job to do and that is do what they believe is right. 

"That isn't always easy and there isn't always an easy answer. I believe that all three of us have the town's best interest in mind with every decision that we make. Of course, that is why we have open meetings. This allows the public to listen to our deliberations and have an idea what information we use to come to our decisions," Miles said. 

The Roachdale Town Council meets the third Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Roachdale Community Building.