The Committee of Concerned Taxpayers of Greenville started out as a barometer of tax woe and rallying point for a slate of candidates running for borough office.

Tuesday, it became a political flame-thrower with it's de facto leader and Democratic mayoral candidate Carmen Surano calling for the ouster of borough council President Earl A. Butterfield.

And Thursday, it lost the top vote-getting borough council candidate.

Republican David P. Henderson, a challenger who won the GOP primary, said he is no longer affiliated with the committee.

"I'm out," Henderson said.

"My wife said this decision could cost me the election. If it does, at least I'll leave with some dignity," Henderson said.

Henderson decided to break from the committee after Tuesday's borough council meeting.

At the meeting, Surano claimed Butterfield no longer lives in the borough and called for his resignation. Surano offered no proof of his claim, but said water and electric service to Butterfield's home, which was sold at sheriff's sale, had been cut off. Butterfield denied the allegations.

It was the last straw for Henderson. "They made moves without contacting me. My views weren't even considered," he said.

"I ran to represent the people and tackle the issues important to borough residents. They were more concerned about a little witch-hunt," Henderson said of the committee.

"The tables could turn and I could be next," Henderson said.

"I just want to speak for myself," Henderson said.

Henderson the committee's candidates are "good, honest people," including Surano. "But he (Surano) is going under the impression that people understand he's truthful. You have to show documentation," he said regarding Surano's call for Butterfield's removal.

"We had the sense that he (Henderson) was never really with us anyway," Surano said of Henderson's decision.

"Nobody spoke for him the other day. I spoke for myself," Surano added.

Democrats Pete Longiotti, Pamela S. Auchter, Lorrie Smith and Deborah Brocklehurst and Republican Dave Stegkamper are the committee's remaining council candidates.

Less than a handful of people formed the committee after council approved the first of two 10-mill tax increases -- which were approved to help pay for a sports complex in West Salem Township and downtown improvements -- with the 2000 budget. Opposition to the tax increases provided a platform for the group.

Since, some members of the committee have sent out surveys, organized public meetings and railed against taxes, incumbent office holders and Borough Manager Peter D. Nicoloff Jr.