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Debate sparked at City Council
Police union looks for city manager's removal
Hillary Settle
Issue date: 12/8/04 Section: News
Debate sparked at the City Council meeting Tuesday after the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 88 made a public statement asking that City Manager Scott Smith be removed from his position.
The statement, which was read by union president Justin Peterson, said Smith's decision to appoint external candidate Paul Welch was "no less than insulting," and asked the council to help the police union and Smith reach a compromise.
Applause from members of the police department and other community members erupted when Peterson finished.
The statement read at the council meeting followed a no confidence vote in Smith, which was filed by the police lodge on Dec. 1.
Members of the council then debated with one another over the release of information that had been discussed in executive session regarding who council members supported in the police chief decision.
Council member Larry Rennels said he didn't agree with council member Lorelei Sims' decision to speak openly about who each council member voted to become the next police chief before the minutes of executive session were released to the public.
"I thought what was expressed in executive session was to be kept confidential until those records are released to the public," Rennels said. "I do not believe that (the information released and published in newspapers) was accurate."
Part of the executive session minutes summarizing the discussion and position of the council was released during the meeting because of the controversy.
Mayor Dan Cougill said he still supported Smith's decision in appointing Welch as the new police chief.
"I hear what the people are saying and what the (police union members) are saying," Cougill said. "This was a council decision, not Scott Smith's decision."
Cougill said he could not respond to questions asked by citizens at the meeting because the police lodge is pending litigation against the decision to appoint Welch over a candidate from within the Charleston Police Department.
The statement, which was read by union president Justin Peterson, said Smith's decision to appoint external candidate Paul Welch was "no less than insulting," and asked the council to help the police union and Smith reach a compromise.
Applause from members of the police department and other community members erupted when Peterson finished.
The statement read at the council meeting followed a no confidence vote in Smith, which was filed by the police lodge on Dec. 1.
Members of the council then debated with one another over the release of information that had been discussed in executive session regarding who council members supported in the police chief decision.
Council member Larry Rennels said he didn't agree with council member Lorelei Sims' decision to speak openly about who each council member voted to become the next police chief before the minutes of executive session were released to the public.
"I thought what was expressed in executive session was to be kept confidential until those records are released to the public," Rennels said. "I do not believe that (the information released and published in newspapers) was accurate."
Part of the executive session minutes summarizing the discussion and position of the council was released during the meeting because of the controversy.
Mayor Dan Cougill said he still supported Smith's decision in appointing Welch as the new police chief.
"I hear what the people are saying and what the (police union members) are saying," Cougill said. "This was a council decision, not Scott Smith's decision."
Cougill said he could not respond to questions asked by citizens at the meeting because the police lodge is pending litigation against the decision to appoint Welch over a candidate from within the Charleston Police Department.
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