Cairo gets new city clerk and attorney

CAIRO, Ill. -- Cairo Mayor Paul Farris on Friday announced the appointment of a new city clerk and city attorney.

The city attorney's job, filled on a contract basis by Alan McIntyre of Vienna, Ill., will now be held by Patrick Cox of Anna, Ill., who will be a full-time city employee, Farris said.

The new clerk will be Nancy Philipper, hired to replace fired clerk Debran Sudduth, Farris said. Philipper has worked previously as a secretary and is a certified paralegal, he said.

Sudduth was fired Tuesday after Farris learned the clerk had used a city work crew to mow and weed his yard.

In a letter to Farris, McIntyre said he was stepping down because a full-time replacement had been hired. McIntyre took the job in late March following the death of Michael P. O'Shea. It was McIntyre's second stint as city attorney under Farris.

"It has been my pleasure to once again serve the citizens of Cairo, although I regret the circumstances which caused my return," McIntyre wrote. "I appreciate the confidence shown in me, and the opportunity to once again serve the community."

Cox will be sworn in Monday as city attorney, Farris said.