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Council Tables McClennen Impeachment Pending Legal Questions
By Art Harvath,
HNN City Hall Correspondent
A resolution of the Huntington city council to impeach Public Works Director
George McClennen was tabled at Monday night’s city council meeting.
Mayor David Felinton defended McClennen saying, “this would impeach
our Public Works Director who certainly plays a vital role in the operation
of the city…he has served the city for several years, he does an
outstanding job in our day-to-day operations.”
Councilman Tom McCallister disagreed with the mayor. “I’m amazed
at this mayor, because in private the mayor has a different opinion of
Mr. McClennen,” said McCallister.
“The mayor and I have had numerous conversations about the director
and in those conversations he wasn’t speaking very favorably of George,”
said McCallister.
Several council members spoke of complaints about McClennen.
“I have got complaints from city employees, from (city) supervisors
and from the general public,” said councilman Charlie Thompson. “I
have been told by supervisors that they cannot perform their duties because
Mr. McClennen will not let that happen.”
“A couple of times I have heard the administration say they were
going to do something about Mr. McClennen. Well, that hasn’t happened,”
said Charlie Thompson.
Councilman Dick Thompson said he has also received several calls, as did
B.W. Ellis.
Councilman Cal Kent then asked the city attorney if the provisions of
section 3.17 of the City Charter had been met concerning the McClennen’s
impeachment. City Attorney Ted Morgan replied that they had not been met.
“Mr. Chairman, my phone started ringing about 7 o’clock this
morning with people calling complaining about different things in the
city of Huntington,” said Ellis. “And I think the people should
put in writing to the city council about things that have not been done.
And I think our attorney just advised us that it should be in writing
for each thing, for if we had these letters then we know it could be checked
out and be verified,” said Ellis.
Councilman Jim Insco then made a motion to table the resolution after
Morgan brought up the legality problem. The motion carried with Dick Thompson
and Tom McCallister voting against it.
Section 3.17 of the City Charter states that if an impeachment resolution
is adopted by council “it shall state with clarity and particularity
each offense of which the person is accused, in terms sufficient to constitute
due and proper notice to such person of the nature of the offense or offenses
charged.”
McClennen was unavailable for comment.
