Legal Bravado..

Our city elected officials have another critical decision to make at tomorrow's city council meeting. You will remember that over a month ago, our ex-city manager Glen Starnes recommended that two city employees be fired for specific reasons. Starnes presented this to the council and they voted to approve his recommendation and as a result, both were fired. The specific reasons will probably never be known. In matters of this type, generalities are commonly used to protect those being fired. The question that the council must determine is whether these specific reasons are valid regardless of Starnes credibility. Most specifically, can they stand the test in court in the event the whole matter goes into litigation. If the allegations can not pass this test then amends should be initiated if the two employees chose to return to city employment. The Council should not be tempted to engage in legal bravado and continue this sad chapter at the cost of taxpayer's money. This is also a good time to do what many other municipalities have done and set up a citizens ethic committee to oversee some questionable issues.