Logan, WV mayor accepts resignation letter from town councilman, officials relieved

It was a busy night for the Logan town council.  "He's missed special meetings.  We haven't even had any contact with him," said Logan Mayor Serafino Nolletti, referring to now former Logan Councilman Mike Allie.

One item on the agenda was to accept a letter of resignation from Allie.  On Oct. 1, the councilman submitted a letter on resignation.  During Tuesday's council meeting, the mayor accepted it.  That's when a very noticeable sense of relief came over the room.

When the mayor made the resignation official, the city's code enforcement officer stood up and clapped.  Ray Perry said, "It was more elation really.  That an elected official, a city councilman is implicated in a situation where he put 30 plus people, the 30 being the people he signs paychecks for in harm's way by being a part of setting a fire."

While no official charges have been filed, many in Logan believe former Councilman Allie had something to do with a massive downtown Logan fire in early 2012.  "You don't want to think that one of your elected officials who signs the signature on your payday is involved in a crime," said City of Logan Fire Chief Scott Beckett.

Four people have already been sent to prison in connection with the crime.  One of those is another former town councilman.  "It was really disappointing," the mayor said.  "They're friends.  I've known these people all my life."

"There have been no convictions or anything," Perry said.  "Just the simple fact that they're [Allie] implicated destroys all credibility as far as I'm concerned personally as a firefighter."

Mayor Nolletti said they are looking for someone to fill the councilman's position.  He said the candidate must be someone who they would work well with, be a resident of the city of Logan, and be a registered voter in Logan.