Alto Mayor Abruptly Quits

ALTO (AP) – The mayor of an embattled East Texas town has quit with just a few words. Monty Collins says he went to the city secretary in Alto, wrote a note that said, “I quit on this date,” and left. He tells the Jacksonville Daily Progress that his departure is effective immediately. Alto, a town of about 1,200 people, laid off all five police officers last year during a budget crunch over Collins’ objections. The city council voted to reinstate its police department months later. City council members have accused Collins of talking to reporters without their permission and ignoring other requests. Collins says he’s leaving to avoid a fight and calls his move a separation, not a divorce.