SCOTT CITY MAYOR TAKES ISSUE WITH EX-OFFICERS

SCOTT CITY -- Mayor Larry Forhan says "a lot of garbage" is being spread following the firing of a police officer, which led to the resignations of two others.

"This is something the police department should not have to endure," he said.

Forhan said last week he can't comment on reasons for the firing of Lt. Bobby Wooten because the former officer has asked for an appeal before the police personnel board.

"On the advice of City Attorney Frances Siebert, I cannot make comments about it, but there are some other comments, misunderstandings and misstatements that need to be corrected," Forhan said.

After Wooten was dismissed, two veteran officers, Eric Shafer and John Blakley, resigned in protest. The incident has sparked controversy.

Forhan said Wooten and Shafer have made up allegations they have made against him and there is strong support from other police officers.

Forhan took issue with comments made by Wooten and Shafer that Forhan had spied on them and comments by Wooten that "you're supposed to live by Forhan"s law."

"That's just totally bogus; there is not a thread of truth in that," said the mayor.

"Nobody I know gets any pleasure out of putting pressure on any police officer or other city employee," he said. "We do have three fine police officers -- Chief Rob Elledge, Senior Patrolman Danny Clubb, and Randy Zimmerman. The only pressure on them is that caused by the resignation of two officers and the fact they have to work extra hours."

Forhan disputed comments by Wooten that he had called himself the "father of the city." Said Forhan, "I don't know where he got that."

Forhan took issue with comments by Shafer that he had been accused of falsifying reports, stealing funds and selling drugs. "I don't know who was accusing him of that. It certainly wasn't me," said the mayor.

"There have been other allegations that Wooten and Shafer had made on other occasions of a similar nature that are just made up," said Forhan. "I think the proof in the pudding as for how the city operates is that we have a volunteer fire department and it is behind the police chief, the department and myself. They have volunteered to help where they can with dispatching and riding with new officers. If I was such a tyrant, as they have described, there is no way people doing volunteer work would put up with it or keep quiet."

While the city attempts to fill vacancies on the police department, Scott City has contracted with other departments to insure there is adequate law enforcement.

"Our officers on duty are working long shifts to make sure the city is safe," said Forhan. "They are working really hard and are really good. And our volunteers have been very supportive of the police department. Enough is enough on these people trying to tear down the good people we have that work for the city, especially in the police department. All I want is what is best for the people of Scott City."