Council KOs mayor’s plans to oust municipal judge

Tuesday, July 15, 1997 | 2:10 a.m.

Smith's attempt to appoint Justice of the Peace Ron Niman to the city post failed when other council members criticized the mayor's tactics and questioned whether Niman, who is a county employee, could also work for the city.

"I'm not going to put a county employee in a city position," said Councilwoman Jean Kneese. "If there is a problem with Teresa we need to have a personnel session."

Councilwoman Dorothy Phillips agreed.

"The method used here is unacceptable. I was given this information second hand and I was unaware that this was even a plan," she said.

"We need to give up these sneaky and conniving plans because this is not way to treat an appointed officials - to hit her with this without any warning or a personnel session," Phillips added.

Sprouse, who has been judge for eight years, said the mayor never expressed any dissatisfaction with her job performance.

"Why are you doing this and why didn't you inform me?" she asked.

Smith would not explain his action.

"There are reasons that I'm not going to talk about," he said.