For a local municipality, the desire to enforce state law has recently resulted in one alderman's resignation.
Don Hines is a life-long Anderson resident and was a first-term council member -- until Friday, June 19.
To The Citizens of Anderson
I, Don Hines, am resigning as West Alderman effective 6-19-15.
In a private meeting set up by the Mayor 6-16-15 he brought to my attention that in the minutes from October 2014 it states that I motioned for a female officer to go from part time to a full time position and that officer was my sister-in-law.
We were discussing the hiring of 2 officers. I did make the motion to hire a male officer full time but I did not motion for her to be; however, the minutes from that city council meeting state that I did so the Mayor informed me that was illegal (referring to nepotism).
When I spoke with a lawyer at the Attorney General’s office they gave me some good advice which I did check into and will be following through with. I feel at this time it would be best for the city if I resign.
I will be running again in the next election and would appreciate your votes. I am looking forward to serving on the council again to continue being a voice for the citizens of Anderson to make this an even greater place to live.
—Thank You Don Hines
During a private council session on Tuesday, June 16, Hines was made aware that minutes from the October 2014 report him as having made a motion to promote polilce officer Linda Belt, who is his sister-in-law, to a full-time employee. The mayor told Hines that the action would qualify as nepotism and is grounds for immediate forfeiture of his alderman position.
When asked what brought about the review of minutes from almost six months ago, Mayor Sellers explains that, after Belt's termination, city attorney Jared Thomas forewarned the council that, if she were to attend the council meeting to dispute the termination, Hines would need to recuse himself from all related actions. Upon reviewing the minutes where Belt was made a full-time officer, Thomas discovered that Hines was on file as making the motion to do so.
In his departmental report to the council last week, police chief Donavon Pierson cited "erratic, harrassing behavior and insubordination" as cause for Officer Belt's termination.
Hines contends that he did make a motion to promote a male officer, but asserts he did not make a motion to promote Belt. He said that instead, he abstained from voting at all. Adding that no mention was made of Hines' alleged nepotism during this meeting or the one following.
Regardless, since the city does not make audio or video record ings of council meetings, both Hines' and Sellers' hands are tied because they voted to approve the minutes, correct or incorrect, at the November meeting.
Article VII, Section VI of Missouri's Constitution mandates that any public officer in this state who by virtue of office appoints to employment any relative within the fourth degree forfeits their office.
Citing this statute, Sellers asked Hines to resign. Three days later, on June 19, he submitted his official resignation as West Ward alderman.
"I didn't enjoy it, but as mayor, I swore to uphold the constitution." Sellers said.
Holding himself to the same standard of accountability that he holds others, Hines admits his liability in approving the November minutes. Rather than dispute the minutes, he plans to wait out the current term and campaign for the west ward alderman seat next year.
"The reason I ran for the council in the first place is because I have a heart for the town." Hines remarked. "The town comes first, then family."
Laws, put simply, are the system of rules that any particular governed people recognizes.
In any country, especially one as diverse as America, it can be difficult to apply a "one size fits all" mentality to such a wide variety of circumstances. So difficult, that society recognizes careers based on interpreting and applying the law as some of the most prestigious that a person can pursue.
General News on 06/25/2015