BELLE — Many community members requested minutes from the Jan. 22 meeting, specifically to find out the closed session vote that terminated the employment of long-time employee Frankie Horstman. According to unapproved minutes released Jan. 26, the board voted 4-0 to terminate the former clerk.

Residents who requested the minutes after the Monday night meeting were contacted that the minutes were available on Friday. If the city printed a copy of the paperwork, they charged each requester 40 cents (10 cents per page). However, if the information is emailed, the city can’t charge for the copies. Residents may also request to view the minutes and past records without being charged.

Horstman informed the newspaper on Jan. 23 that the city’s attorney, Todd T. Smith, terminated her employment without any city official present. Smith, who works for Lauber Municipal Law in Jefferson City, may charge between $195 and $260 per hour. While the weather on Jan. 22 prevented the attorney from attending the meeting in person, he was available via laptop to hear city resident Delmar Branson’s concerns.

When asked why the city chose to involve its attorney with the termination process, Mayor Pro Tem James (Pudd) Mitchell said on Jan. 26 that he didn’t want to be the one to do it.

“It was a hard decision, a very hard decision,” Mitchell said. “I’m not trying to hide behind the attorney, I’m taking his advice on how to handle things.”

Mitchell wouldn’t say why the board chose to terminate the former clerk’s employment. When Horstman asked the attorney the same question on Jan. 23, she was told he, “couldn’t divulge that information.”

Since Horstman’s termination, the community started an “I Stand With Frankie” Facebook movement in support of the 22-year employee.

Maries County Sheriff Chris Heitman commented about the termination.

“It’s sad when someone’s terminated for doing what’s right and legal,” Heitman said.

The same day Horstman was terminated, Alderman Adam Padgett resigned from the Ward 2 seat. Padgett’s resignation letter was effective immediately.

“I, Adam Padgett hereby resign my position as Alderman Ward 2 effective immediately. I wish the city all the best and truly look forward to seeing our city prosperous. I just no longer have the time to dedicate that this job requires.”

Mitchell said on Tuesday that he contacted the Missouri Municipal League (MML) about filling Padgett’s seat.

“They said if we have someone who is qualified we don’t have to advertise to fill the board back up,” Mitchell said.