The small police force, which consisted of only six officers, has now dwindled to just one, after five officers resigned. The city attorney and water treatment supervisor also resigned before Tyrus Byrd was sworn into her new position.
“I think it was pretty dirty the way they all quit without giving her a chance, but I don't think they hurt the town with quitting because who needs six police for 740 people?” Martha Miller, a Parma resident, told KFVS.
The previous mayor served for 37 years and lost the election to Byrd by 37 votes.
The resignation letters from the officers and officials reportedly cannot be found and the computers of those who resigned have all been cleared, but former Mayor Randall Ramsey has stated that it had to do with “safety concerns.” What precisely those “safety concerns” are remains unknown.
Byrd previously served as the city clerk and is very much respected for her missionary work. She told local news station KFVS that her first order of business will be cleaning up the city.
Byrd also stated that she is receiving help from other communities and local residents are reaching out to help the town rebuild.
