Marguerite Collins wishes to withdraw from running for Town Council, but due to missing the July 17 deadline for any candidate to voluntarily withdraw from the election, she cannot be taken off of the ballot.
Collins will remain a candidate on the ballot with Ross Benson, Nancy Crocker, Bruce Gould, Lance Miller and Rex Watters III. However, she does not plan to take the position if elected this November.
Collins said she has been having health concerns for the past year and it’s taken her this long to get answers. She said she has heart issues and will be having surgery in November.
“I just feel like I couldn’t serve the public at this time or the near future,” said Collins. “I don’t know what the outcome of this will be, and I really don’t want to start something that I can’t put 110% of my hard work into.”
Brenda Young, Town Clerk-Treasurer, said if Collins were to win she would have to be sworn in, and then if she didn’t want the position she could formally resign. Once resigned, the council would have to reappoint someone else to take her position.
“If the candidate wants to put a notice out or signage or anything then they can, but the election board itself cannot,” said Young. “She is on the ballot. So, if she is elected then we’ll go through the procedures then.”
Collins said while she plans to inform everyone she can that she’s no longer interested in the position, if she happens to still get elected then she would stay on the council until she’s able to resign.
“It’s unfortunate but the election will just go on,” said Young. “I just feel bad for her, and I hope she gets better.”
