Hardy Mayor Nina Thornton tenders her resignation

Maligned Hardy Mayor Nina Thornton has resigned. Thornton, who has been the mayor for nine years, will continue to serve her elected position until July 31, according to information released by the city.

Attempts by Talk Business and Politics to reach Thornton for comment were unsuccessful. A replacement for Thornton has not been selected.

Thornton resigned during a city council meeting Tuesday night. A crowd at the meeting erupted into cheers when she made the announcement, according to social media posts.

Thornton has been the subject of an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission investigation after a former city employee, Jason Jackson, claimed she “threatened and bullied him” while he worked in the city’s fire department, according to information released by the city. Jackson filed the charge in April, and has since been appointed to serve on the city council.

Thornton has also been the subject of scrutiny in recent years for not releasing city expenditure and budget numbers to the public and the city council. Hardy Police Chief Scott Rose was asked by city council members in June to open an investigation to find the missing financial records. Thornton didn’t tender a written resignation, but gave it orally at the meeting, according to city officials. The council unanimously accepted the resignation.

Why she left her elected post has not been released. Her resignation follows former recorder/treasurer Caroline Groves who resigned July 14. Groves’ resignation was immediate.