SEMINOLE -- In a surprise move, City Clerk Ginger Stilton abruptly resigned Monday night immediately after a council workshop.

The workshop was designed to discuss potential changes to the Seminole city charter. One of the items was a proposal to change the status of the city clerk from a charter office that answered to the council to a traditional employee who would answer to the city manager. Stilton, who had served as clerk since last spring when Lesley DeMuth resigned to take a job with Gulfport, had come under fire during past discussions about the proposed change. At one point last week, Stilton traded barbs with council member Tom Barnhorn who, she charged, had accused her of violating the state's Sunshine Law by passing on an e-mail of his to other council members. Barnhorn denied that he had made such an allegation.

On Monday night, Stilton waited until the end of the workshop, then handed Mayor Jimmy Johnson a one-sentence, handwritten note: "It is with great regret that I submit my resignation effective at close of council workshop this evening."

Stilton then cleaned out her desk and left her keys on her desk before she left.

Seminole City Manager Frank Edmunds said Wednesday that he plans to advertise for a replacement.

Anne Lindberg, Times Staff Writer

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