By GEORGE KUNKE, geoakunke@gmail.com
Wednesday, July 15, 2020 12:42 pm
|
SOUTH BEND - In a somewhat bombshell development, Pacific County Prosecutor Mark McClain submitted his resignation to the Pacific County Board of Commissioners in a letter (Thursday) effective Monday, August 3. McClain cited "personal and professional" reasons for leaving despite having roughly 1½ years left on his second elected term. Commissioners Frank Wolfe (chairman) and Lisa Olsen told the Herald they had no prior knowledge of the resignation.
"It was a complete surprise to me, and I have not researched what happens next, but should be working on that starting Monday morning (July 13)," Pacific County Commissioner Frank Wolfe told the Herald Sunday. "Mark's resignation was unexpected and came as a complete surprise to me. I have not had a chance to discuss it with him, but had talked with him a few times in the very recent past, and he gave no hint he was contemplating this. We have had a very good, professional relationship."
"Mr. McClain submitted his resignation to the (Pacific) County Commissioners on Thursday, July 9," Olsen told the Herald Monday morning. "We had no prior indication of his decision."
Asked if there will be a public search for a new prosecutor or if someone would step up from the prosecutor's office until an election can be conducted, Wolfe told the Herald Sunday night, "I cannot comment knowledgeably at this time. I am not yet up to speed on the who, what, when of replacing a prosecutor. My assumption is there is a procedure to install a temporary office holder that would fill the seat until an upcoming general election, but whether that is this November or the next General Election following is unclear. These are details the commissioners will be discussing with our legal council this week."
As of Monday morning, there was not a list of possible candidates to replace McClain, nor was a search committee set up. "It is too soon for that," Wolfe said. "I am not yet completely familiar with who does what and when in the replacement process."
Wolfe added, "While having a prosecuting attorney out of the office is something that needs to be addressed with all due alacrity, the office will continue to function for the short term. This is one of those things that is better 'fixed right' than 'fixed fast'."
Olsen said Monday morning, "We do not have any kind of search committee set up. We are researching the proper procedure for appointment and will likely select someone to fill the seat as an interim prior to August 3. Our decision depends on what the rules are for this situation. I wish Mark well in whatever he has chosen to do next."
The Herald asked Wolfe if he believes McClain did an exceptional job in curtailing crime in the county and if his shoes would be hard to fill? "Mark did a very good job of dealing with crime in our county, and was not afraid to adopt new practices which have generally shown success, like Drug Court and other deferral programs," Wolfe said. "His shoes will be difficult to fill."
McClain, who was very successful prosecuting crime and was popular with the public, was elected for the second time after winning easily over Democrat Pam Nogueira Maneman 59 percent to 41 percent in November 2018. In 2014, McClain soundly defeated Democrat and then the prosecutor David Burke by the same percentage, 59-41.
McClain's full letter to the commissioners Wolfe, Olsen and Mike Runyon read as follows:
Dear Board of County Commissioners,
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the residents of Pacific County. I have been privileged to work with an exceptional team and we have brought significant advancements to our local criminal justice system which will have a lasting impact: Children's Advocacy Center and Multi-Disciplinary Team, which will long-serve the physically and sexually abused children of Pacific County; enacting the Mental Health Diversions Program, to ensure those with mental illness receive treatment instead of languishing in out jail; and technological advancements such as a case management system at no expense to the taxpayers.
However, for both personal and professional reasons, I hereby tender my resignation as the Pacific County Prosecuting Attorney effective August 3, 2020.
I believe the (Pacific County Prosecutor's) Office is well positioned to continue to serve our community and I want to thank those who have given me this exceptional experience.
Respectfully,
Mark McClain