The Ely City Council is set to override Mayor Jon Hickman veto of a 5-0 council vote to fire City Clerk Jim Alworth in this Thursday’s council meeting.
Hickman vetoed the vote Friday citing that it was not fair that the vote occurred when the embattled city clerk was allegedly away on vacation.
“My reason to veto is because City Clerk Alworth was unable to attend (the) meeting because of a pre-scheduled vacation. Mr. Alworth’s attorney Scott Husbands asked the council to table the item until City Clerk Alworth returned from his vacation. The City Council refused. Although a City (Clerk) can be removed without reason, in my opinion Mr. Alworth, a city employee for thirteen years should have the right to be present at the city council to at least voice his opinion and/or have supporters voice their opinions during public comment.”
The Ely City Council unanimously voted to fire the controversial City Manager June 27th to the cheers of a packed audience.
Alworth and his conduct became a major campaign issue in the recent city election and unfortunately for the City Clerk all of the candidates he was backing lost.
According to Ely City Code only a unanimous vote by the council could result in the City Clerk’s termination.
Alworth, the Ely City Clerk for the last 13 years has had a long and sometimes tumultuous relationship with Ely elected officials.
But while Alworth had run ins with some city councilmen and even some mayors he was able to maintain political support, albeit sometimes at a bare minimum, of the council.
Despite inserting himself directly into the most recent election with public letters attacking the eventual victors if Alworth is fired it would be because of his reaction to the election rather than its results.
According to sources at one and perhaps more of the victorious councilmen tried to extend an olive branch to the City Clerk all of which Alworth rejected out of hand.
It was brought to my attention that someone was making comments under the name “citizen Kane” people made the assumption that it was Patrick or Bethann Kane. It was ABSOLUTELY not. I would ask that the person that really wrote these comments come forth and make themselves known. My husband and I know nothing about the issue that was being discussed nor do we get involved in these things. We think the world of both Mark and Shane Bybee and have never, would never post these comments. Also, I think it’s rather cowardly to post things anonymously. If you have the nerve to say something, say it! Dont”hide behind some one else’s name!
bethannkane3@aol.com