INDIANAPOLIS -- Amid renewed calls for his resignation, Jeff Miller, a City-County councilor facing charges of child molestation, emailed his constituents Tuesday with his reasons for remaining in his council seat.
In a release, Marion County GOP Chairman Jim Merritt said, "Given Jeff Miller’s current legal situation, it is our belief that he is unable to fully serve the residents of his district and the people of Indianapolis."
Merritt has said that Miller told him over the phone he would resign, but has yet to follow through.
The council voted Monday night to remove Miller from the three committees on which he served: Public Works, Metropolitan and Economic Development and Community Affairs and Education.
Despite many calls to resign, Miller said in an email to constituents that he has no intention of stepping down. Here is the entire text of that email:
"I wanted to reach out to everyone with a few thoughts. As has been reported by the news, I have entered a plea of not guilty in my case, but otherwise cannot discuss the details. But I did want to address why I am remaining in my council seat. When I ran for council in 2011, it was for one reason only…to give a voice to those who felt they didn’t have a voice. As a former neighborhood president, I knew firsthand how it can be difficult to navigate city and county government. I also heard about areas where people felt enough wasn’t being done to protect the quality of life we all desire.
So I have used that voice to push for the issues the district has requested: accountability for slumlords, programs to abate graffiti, laws to protect against metal theft (HVAC coils, catalytic converters), infrastructure repairs of our neighborhood streets and sidewalks, abandoned housing repairs, foreclosed home maintenance, etc. I love fighting for the issues that impact you, whether big or small. Some view the council as a way to gain power, such as being on certain committees or holding certain titles. No, the council is not about having power, but about having a voice and to use that voice to speak for those we represent.
The only thing I love more than giving you a voice, is being the father of my wonderful son. And so I look forward to continuing to pursue both of these passions to the best of my ability."
Miller was charged on November 17 with three counts of child molestation. According to a probable cause affidavit filed in the case, the investigation began after a 10-year-old girl came forward claiming that Miller had massaged her and made her uncomfortable on more than one occasion.
He appeared in court Monday afternoon where he pled not guilty to those charges. His pre-trial hearing is set for March 16, 2018.
"The Marion County Republican Party will continue to look for a quality candidate to replace Jeff Miller, whether that be through a caucus or in the 2019 election," Merritt said.
MORE | Miller indicates he has no plans to resign | Indy city-county councilor charged with child molestation | Indianapolis Councilman Jeff Miller requests special prosecutor in child molesting case | City-County Council group to review Jeff Miller's committee assignments
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