Seymour residents question six-month vacancy of District 2 council seat

SEYMOUR, Ind. — Discussions surrounding the prolonged vacancy of the District 2 city council seat were brought before city leadership by residents during last week's Common Council meeting.

District 2 Councilman Jerry Hackney has been absent from official proceedings since March, leaving the seven-member body operating with six members for six months. Residents questioned officials on the status of the seat and when full representation would be restored for District 2 residents.

Mayor Matthew Nicholson and City Attorney Chris Engleking clarified that the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office, the Indiana State Police, and the State Board of Accounts are actively investigating the seat.

City officials referenced previous statements from Jackson County GOP Chairwoman Amanda Lowry that a precinct caucus cannot be legally convened to fill the vacancy until official judicial proceedings or formal rulings declare the seat legally vacant.