Inglewood

In a move that surprised city officials, City Clerk Iris Crochet announced her intention to resign and asked the City Council to schedule a special election for June 2 to fill her office.

Presented with Crochet’s resolution moments before Tuesday’s City Council meeting, several council members expressed surprise at her announcement and said they would not be ready to vote on the matter until next week.

At that time, the council must vote on whether to call a special election, which would coincide with the anticipated runoff election already scheduled for June 2. According to state election laws, a special election must be scheduled at least 90 days before it is held.

Crochet has asked that she be allowed to serve as acting City Clerk from March 5, when the Council takes its vote, until her successor is seated.

Crochet, who said she was resigning for personal reasons, has held elected office for 30 years, including three terms as City Clerk and two terms as Inglewood’s only woman council member.

With the first campaign filing period over for the city’s April 2 primary election, the two incumbent councilmen running for reelection have a wide lead in campaign funds over their opponents.

District 1 Councilman Daniel K. Tabor boasts the fattest war chest, with more than $12,000 on hand. Of that amount, all but $1,400 was raised before January.

Opponents Yvonne Mitchell and Donald McClure both have raised less than $500 in the filing period that extended from January to Feb. 21, and therefore do not have to file detailed reports.

In District 2, incumbent Councilman Anthony Scardenzan raised $2,400 during the filing period, of which $1,335 remains. Opponent Lee Smith has $580 in donations and an additional $350 in loans, while challenger Jess Willard has $1,250 in loans and $200 in donations.