Mayor rejects calls to resign

Portland Mayor Randy Geesaman announced today he won’t be leaving office after facing calls from his own party for his resignation amid allegations of mishandling party funds in his role as treasurer of the Jay County Democrats.

“The blame for the events which have taken place falls directly on me,” Geesaman said. “I cannot undo what has been done … However, we have accomplished a great deal in the last five-plus years.”

Geesaman cited Portland’s new water park, the addition of Lutheran Air at Portland Municipal Airport, progress in addressing flooding on the city’s west side, assessed valuation increases and concentrated cleanup efforts as major accomplishments during his tenure as mayor as reasons for him to stay on as the city’s leader.

“We have much more to accomplish in the next two and a half years that we want to move forward on, including downtown revitalization, new flooding measures, jobs and economic development initiatives,” Geesaman said.

Geesaman said he received calls, texts and visits from city residents throughout the weekend.

“Not one soul said I should resign,” he said. “I was overwhelmed by how many people there were.”

Geesaman faced pressure from county Democrats after allegedly mishandling Jay County Democratic Party funds in his role as party treasurer, including losing checks and failing to pay bills. He met with party officials May 22 to discuss his financial failures, and local party officials asked for his resignation as the city’s mayor.

An audit of party finances being conducted by Third Congressional District Democratic Committee chairwoman Madalyn Sade-Bartl is ongoing.

Geesaman made restitution to the party’s bank account totaling $2,000, and said he thinks the amount he paid back is more than the value of lost checks and cash.

Struggles with personal finances have troubled Geesaman in the past, including a criminal charge for check deception in 1995 and multiple civil lawsuits since then. But he said his personal shortfalls shouldn’t take away from the city’s accomplishments during his tenure as mayor.

He acknowledged his failings as party treasurer, but was firm in the assertion that Portland’s finances are not impacted or brought into question.

The city could still face an audit by the Indiana State Board of Accounts, which conducts oversight municipal budgets. Geesaman said an audit is justified, and expects there to be no issues with city finances.

“Thanks very, very much to the many people who have reached out to me in the last few days and given me your support,” Geesaman said. “It has definitely been uplifting. I will be at work … for as long as you believe I can continue to bring positive things to Portland.”

Geesaman was appointed by local Democrats as Portland’s clerk-treasurer in 2009 following the resignation of Linda Kennedy. He defeated two-term Republican incumbent Bruce Hosier in the 2011 race for mayor and was re-elected with a victory over Milo Miller Jr. in 2015. His current term will end Dec. 31, 2019.