A week after questions arose about the validity of one of only two sitting committee members, Oxford Township is now without a government.

Mayor Jade White today submitted his resignation letter, citing a negative and unproductive environment that has developed in the township in recent months.

"I am conflicted in resigning, as Oxford's best days may still be ahead," White wrote in his letter. "And I am confident I have more to give. Yet the negativity of a vocal few has created an atmosphere that is not conducive to productive discourse."

White's resignation leaves Oxford without sitting elected officials. Former Mayor Keith Gibbons resigned his committee seat in July, and Gibbons earlier this month notified township Clerk Sheila Oberly that now-former Committeeman James Williams' seat was invalid.

Gibbons and White appointed Williams in June 2013 to fill the balance of former Committeeman John D. Ort's unexpired term. But the appointment should have run through the November 2013 election, at which point the seat should have been on the ballot.

Gibbons said last week that he notified the township after an attorney, whom he declined to name, questioned Williams' appointment.

Township attorney Richard Brigliadoro advised the committee to cancel last week's meeting until he could sort out whether the remaining committee members could even meet. Brigliadoro did not return a phone call seeking comment on the latest development.

White said today that Williams submitted a letter to the township clerk Monday, acknowledging that his committee seat is invalid. The now-former mayor noted Williams did not resign.

Turning to governor

The township Republican committee failed to meet the 15-day deadline to provide up to three candidates to replace Gibbons, leaving the Warren County Republican Committee to make recommendations, according to White. But it's a moot point as there weren't enough Oxford Township Committee members to appoint anyone, he said.

Township officials asked Gov. Chris Christie's office last week to appoint a township committee, White said. State law gives the governor's office 30 days to fill the vacancies, he said.

"But they understand the sense of urgency that there is no governing body and that the simplest tasks such as paying bills ... is not possible," White said.

A representative from the governor's office did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Now, what had been a sparse November ballot for one three-year township committee seat will potentially feature a crowded field -- if residents step up.

The ballot will include a two-year term to fill Gibbons' seat, a one-year term to fill White's seat and a full three-year term. Williams, who easily won the June Republican primary, said today he notified the township clerk to remove his name from the November ballot. Williams had also won the Democratic primary 2-1 as a write-in, according to election results.

'Backroom politicking'

Williams said today that the "backroom politicking" prompted him to remove his name from the ballot, adding he has not been officially notified that his seat is invalid. He said his only goal had been to do what was best for Oxford.

"I never was a politician, and I'll never be a politician," Williams said. "I don't want to play that role."

Williams again questioned why the township clerk hadn't made committee members aware of the proper procedures for filling Ort's vacancy. Oberly, the township clerk, said last week that she had notified the committee that the seat should have appeared on the November 2013 ballot but could not say why it did not.

She could not be reached for comment today.

White said he resigned for personal reasons. The "toll the 'politics of politics'" has taken on his personal and professional life is one he could no longer bear, according to his resignation letter.

Future focus dissolves

The township has made progress over the last 18 months, most notably the cleanup of the OxWall Tool property, and 2014 should have been focused on the township's future, White said. Instead, infighting has enveloped the township, he said.

White points to Williams' committee seat and the timing of the issue. He does not dispute that officials mishandled the appointment, but asks why it hadn't been brought to anyone's attention for more than a year.

"I am hoping now with an entirely clean slate of open spots on the township committee, that we can fill seats with those who have all of Oxford's best interests at heart," White said in his resignation letter, "that we have a diverse set of committee members who continue with an open style of government and seek out ways to increase a sense of community."