Town Shocked, Saddened by Councilman's Suicide

by Kilgore Trout
Staff Writer

September 23, 2009

The people of Cooper gathered today at First Lutheran Church to mourn the tragic death of Councilman Richard Aumundsen. Aumundsen was found dead at his home this past Saturday, apparently from having ingested a bottle of drain cleaner.

Although many questions remain as to his motive for committing suicide, some townspeople blame Councilman Tanner Clay, who suggested those councilmen who approved the recent Ketchup ban go home and drink a bottle of drain cleaner. If this is indeed the reason for the late councilman's suicide, it would mark the first time in the history of Cooper that something said at a town council meeting was actually acted upon in a timely manner. The town Sheriff and County Coroner have not ruled out charges being filed against Councilman Clay for participation in a wrongful death.

Councilman Richard Aumundsen was 53 years old. He was unmarried and had no children. He had served on the town council for six years. His motivation for obtaining and holding his seat on the council was his fixation with "no parking" signs. He wanted them everywhere. In his six years he was responsible for approving no fewer than 57 "no parking" signs within the city limits. This was the object of some ridicule among the townspeople, especially because Aumundsen did not drive a car. An avid bicyclist, Aumundsen hated parked cars along the roads he frequently traveled on his bicycle, so he sought to designate all those roads as "no parking" zones. In the recently completed legislative session Aumundsen said he had finally gotten all the signs he needed, almost prophetically announcing his time was up. The Ketchup vote and suggestion by Councilman Clay may have just been his last jab at the town who ridiculed him.

Whatever the reason, the town mourns his passing. Many are already speculating as to the future of the open seat on the town council. The mayor has already set a special election for the first Tuesday in October to fill the vacant seat. No doubt there will be many contenders with the current heated political atmosphere.