Cloverdale has new clerk-treasurer

Monday, July 26, 2010
Putnam County Clerk of Courts Marty Watts swears in Cathleen Monaco, as Cloverdale's new clerk-treasurer. Monaco is replacing Patti Truax, who resigned as clerk-treasurer July 1.

CLOVERDALE -- The town council has officially appointed a new clerk-treasurer to replace Patti Truax.

In a special meeting Saturday, the council voted 4-0 for Cathleen Monaco to fulfill Truax's remaining term, which is up in 2012. Council member Don Sublett was absent from the meeting.

Monaco has been acting as interim clerk-treasurer for the town since being appointed by the council on July 10. Putnam County Clerk of Courts Marty Watts swore her into office on July 12 at the courthouse.

"Congratulations," council president Cathy Tipton said to Monaco, after she was appointed Saturday. "There is a lot of work to be done."

Now officially in office, Monaco will be facing computer hard drive and banking issues. Since May, the town council has been dealing with the uncertainty of fund balances; unpaid claims, which were approved for payment, and bounced checks.

When Truax resigned from the post on July 1, she had served as the town's clerk-treasurer for 16 years. Monaco opposed her in the 2007 election and Truax won by seven votes.

Additionally, Tipton was given approval by the board to sign a document allowing the lawsuit between the town and the Whitaker-Davis party to be dropped.

"This is in reference to the fire department issue," Tipton said during the meeting.

A few years ago and under a different board, the council voted against entering into a new contract with the township fire department when it asked for a pay increase. When the fire department vacated the town's building, it was alleged damages were left behind.

The department eventually filed suit against the town for the remainder of its contract and the town countersued for the damages to its building. Now at the request of the Judy Whitaker-John Davis party, the lawsuit against the town over the department's contract will be dropped.

"That leaves us with one more lawsuit," Tipton said.

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  • Go Cathy!!!!

    -- Posted by Oh My Goodness on Mon, Jul 26, 2010, at 9:33 AM
  • Cathy needs her head examined! How dare they acuse Ms. Truax of being incompetent. She has been in that office for 16 years, with her audits being squeakey clean. She has been devoted to giving the town of Cloverdale the best service possible. Maybe someone should do an audit on the town counsel members. They are the real "crooks." Go Patti. Right move to get out of that office!

    -- Posted by Roma on Mon, Jul 26, 2010, at 1:14 PM
  • come to the meeting and ask for proof. seeing is believing.

    -- Posted by captain crunch on Mon, Jul 26, 2010, at 9:26 PM
  • Finally! Now pease get your show on the road. Stop wasting your time and get on with your agenda.

    -- Posted by Xgamer on Tue, Jul 27, 2010, at 6:51 AM
  • seeing is believing alright, the new treasurer couldnt get bonded by 3 major bonding companies so thanks to the good ole internet she got her papers. wonder how legit that bond is???

    -- Posted by justmoveonwillya on Tue, Jul 27, 2010, at 2:12 PM
  • You can't blame Mrs. Truax for unpaid claims when the TOWN COUNCIL voted to not pay those claims. They are the only ones who can make the call whether to pay or not pay claims, not the Town Treasurer. The Town Council voted to instead of paying claims to give themselves pay raises. There is also no proof that there were bounced checks, especially when the bank is in agreement with Mrs. Truax's records prior to her leaving office.

    I'm sorry, I forgot for a moment who I was actually talking about, the Town Council lies and will do anything to take the focus off of themselves and put it on someone else, even if it means telling lies and ruining the reputation of honest people. That's what happens when you go up against the big bad Town Council President. She'll stop at nothing to knock you down. Good luck Mrs. Monaco, you think you're in good now with the Town Council, but your Alpha-female mentality will be an interesting match for Cloverdale's SUPREME Alpha-female that is Madam President.

    -- Posted by YouCantBSerious on Fri, Jul 30, 2010, at 10:58 PM
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