Former city attorney for Cairo returns to position

~ Alan McIntyre replaces Michael O'Shea, who died Wednesday.

CAIRO, Ill. -- Alan McIntyre returned as city attorney for Cairo on Friday despite trepidation about the ongoing dispute between Mayor Paul Farris and the city council.

McIntyre replaces Michael O'Shea, who died unexpectedly Wednesday at age 54. He was city attorney under Farris until June 2005, when he resigned in order to represent Farris for criminal charges stemming from the mayor's decision to open a new city bank account outside Alexander County.

Forgery charges against Farris were dismissed in July. Farris was forced to open the accounts to pay city staff after the council refused to confirm his nominees to city posts and give him access to city accounts.

"City attorney of the city of Cairo is a very stressful job," McIntyre said at a news conference with Farris to announce his appointment. "There is a lot of animosity present in the city that has not toned down."

Farris and the council have been at loggerheads since he was elected in May 2003. In recent months, the dispute intensified when four council members first announced they would boycott meetings, then changed course in order to thwart Farris' initiatives from within the council chambers.

Farris' opponents accuse him of acting in a dictatorial manner; Farris contends he wants to conduct city business honestly. Both sides take constant shots at one another, with the council interrupting Farris while he withholds their pay.

"I am not going to hold out a lot of hope we can work well together," McIntyre said. "But I will make an attempt. If they want to work with me, I will work with them.

"I don't expect the council to be jumping for joy in the streets at my appointment."

McIntyre runs a law firm in Vienna, Ill., and is a former Johnson County prosecutor. Cairo will be a client of his law firm, he said, not his sole employment.

Farris said the death of O'Shea left him in "total shock."

"I not only considered Mr. O'Shea a very astute attorney, but I also considered him a good friend, a great friend."

McIntyre returns at a time when Farris and the city face a number of lawsuits related to his decision to fire previous city administrators and over his handling of city business.

The city needs sound legal representation to win those cases, McIntyre said.

One of the earliest legal battles between Farris and the council involved whether the mayor had the authority to pay appointees who were not confirmed by the council. A court ruling said the mayor could make temporary appointments to fill vacancies but did not indicate any time limit on the term "temporary."

No appointee of Farris has been confirmed by the council.

Bobby Whitaker, leader of the anti-Farris faction on the council, could not be reached for comment on the appointment of McIntyre.

The return of McIntyre is a relief at a stressful moment, Farris said. "It is a very hostile environment here in Cairo, politically."

He added that he has "a great admiration" for McIntyre's willingness to take the job, even on a temporary basis.

rkeller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126