For the second time in about a month, a commissioner has resigned his position from the North Whidbey Park and Recreation District board.
Board president Scott Vogt submitted his resignation Dec. 7. The letter was read into the record during a Thursday evening park board meeting.
In his resignation letter, Vogt, an active-duty officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, said that a Naval Judge Advocates General review a week earlier advised him “that my service on the commission is in violation of DOD INST 1344.10.”
He said in the letter that he had a review done in June 2011 prior to placing his name on the ballot.
Vogt said he received assurances back then that he could serve on the board as long as he recused himself from activities in which the commission lobbies a government agency. He also had to recuse himself from any action where he represents the government and the commission seeks action from him as a government agent.
He was also advised that when acting on the commission, Vogt must do so in a personal capacity and not give an impression that he represents the military.
He could not be reached for elaboration about the review.
Vogt’s resignation marks the second commissioner in recent weeks and the third one this year to resign from the elected board. Harvey Prosser cited health reasons when he resigned in November and Ron Rhinehart resigned last summer because he accepted a new job on the East Coast.
The board currently consists of Sean Merrill, Dennis Jepsen and Lori Clark.
Vogt’s resignation leaves three people on the board and officials are scrambling to find replacements.
Sean Merrill, chairman of the park board, said he hopes to name two new members during the commission’s January meeting.
The commission has been collecting applications for Prosser’s replacement since he resigned. People can still apply for either position. The application deadline is Jan. 10, but they will also be accepted until Jan. 17, 2013. Merrill may be contacted at spmerrill@me.com.
The commissioners for the North Whidbey Park and Recreation District are scheduled to appoint new members during their meeting scheduled for 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 17, at the John Vanderzicht Memorial Pool, 85 SE Jerome St. in Oak Harbor.
