Amid conflict, Miner names new city clerk

MINER, Mo. -- Although the city clerk's position has been in conflict over a union issue, choosing someone to fill it was easy. According to the Standard Democrat, at a meeting Tuesday, Mayor Darren Chapman suggested that Stephanie Turner, the interim city clerk, fill the appointment for the rest of the term vacated by Danielle Patrick last month. Miner's board of alderman voted unanimously to do just that. However, it is unclear how the position's status will affect her. "There is current conflict between whether or not the [city clerk] position should be part of the union," said Tabatha Thurman, temporary city attorney. The union contract, Thurman explained, "is in direct conflict with state statutes that say the city clerk is an appointed position with the board's approval." A meeting is being arranged with union officials to see how the conflict can be resolved, she said.