Rocky Ford, the small Screven County town facing an ongoing federal investigation into financial matters, encountered yet another challenge last week as its mayor and town clerk both resigned.

Teresa Mock offered a letter of resignation from her position as town clerk Nov. 18, and Mayor Barry Durden turned in his letter of resignation Nov. 20.

Rocky Ford Town Council members met Friday, Nov. 21, for a called meeting during which they accepted both resignations, said council member Willette Mock, whom Mayor Pro Tem Kathleen Roland said is handling the clerk's duties in the interim.

Durden, contacted by the Statesboro Herald last week, provided the newspaper with a copy of his resignation letter, citing health reasons for leaving the office.

However, Teresa Mock has not returned numerous phone calls seeking comment and a copy of her resignation letter. Friday, the Statesboro Herald mailed an Open Records Act request to the Town Council seeking a copy of Mock's letter, after several failed attempts to send the request by fax.

Council members Willette Mock and Ken Mock both said Friday that the town's fax machine was working; however, 13 attempts by the Herald over two days this week to send the faxed request were unsuccessful.

Willette Mock said the request could not be emailed because the town currently has no computer in its office, and she said the request should not be mailed to any town official's personal email address. She told a reporter that emails sent to the town's email address could not be received via any council member's personal computer.

She suggested the records request be mailed, adding that Teresa Mock's resignation letter could not be released without the town receiving an official Open Records Act request. Questions to Willette Mock and Ken Mock regarding Teresa Mock's resignation were unanswered, and they both said the reasons for her resignation are included in the letter.

Calls to several other Rocky Ford Town Council members were not answered or returned.

Rocky Ford Town Hall is only open from 4-6 p.m. on weekdays.

Durden cited numerous health issues in his resignation letter as reasons he vacated the position.

"Due to health reasons, loss of hearing and memory, I must resign as mayor of Rocky Ford," he wrote. "I find that my limitations are keeping me from performing the duties of mayor as they should be performed. My resignation is effective immediately.

"I sincerely wish for the best for our town and feel this is the best for all concerned," the letter continues. "I wish to thank those citizens who voted for me and who supported my efforts in the past 11 months. God bless."

In July, the FBI took over a probe initiated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in March 2013 looking into suspicious financial practices, including allegations of mishandled money and unpaid fees to the state.

Statesboro GBI Special Agent-in-Charge Cathy Sapp confirmed the investigation was turned over to the FBI, but she did not say why.

Statesboro FBI agents declined to comment on the matter, citing a policy to not discuss open cases.

In April 2013, Jimmy Hankinson, who was then Rocky Ford's mayor, said the investigation involved state add-on fees for tickets issued that had not been paid since 2003.

In April 2013, Beth Smith was terminated as town clerk. Hankinson first denied rumors that Smith was no longer in office, stating she had been absent for health reasons and was expected to return. However, the town fired Smith soon afterward.

In a letter dated May 7, 2013, addressed to Smith, Hankinson announced Smith's termination after a vote at the council meeting the previous day.

"It is my duty to inform you that the Rocky Ford Town Council voted ... to terminate your employment effective as of that date," the letter reads. "... The Council has lost confidence in your ability to properly carry out your duties as city clerk and clerk of the municipal court in part due to your inaccurate reporting to the town council of the town's financial condition."

Smith assisted Rocky Ford Police Chief Pat Kile in keeping financial records for the police department, Hankinson said. Kile also assumed the duty of acting as police department clerk.

Kile remains the town's police chief, working varying hours, and is the only officer at this time. Durden won a subsequent election and was mayor until his Nov. 20 resignation, and Teresa Mock was hired as town clerk and served in that capacity until her Nov. 18 resignation.

Holli Deal Saxon may be reached at (912) 489-9414.