Aldermen plan to censure Mayor Jimmy Poss Thursday night in a special called session of the city council, saying he violated the municipal charter’s nepotism ban by hiring his  son.

“Immediate family members shall not be hired by the city,” Alderman Gayla Hendrix quoted from the city charter during a meeting held this past Thursday in which the mayor was not present. “That is a clear violation of the charter and the city’s personnel policy.”

The controversy began when it was learned that the mayor had hired his son, Tony Poss to work at the city’s golf course and swimming pool despite Smithville paying over $70,000 to contract Riverwatch personnel to care for and ready the facility for its expected April 1 opening.

Alderman Jason Murphy noted that the mayor terminated his son once the hire became public knowledge, raising eyebrows of many in the community.

“It’s suspicious that his termination date was the day it was made public,” Murphy pointed out.
All members of the aldermanic council agreed they were trouble by the fact they had heard about the mayor’s hiring of his son from the public and were never consulted by him prior to giving his son the job in which he received over $8,000.

“I’m tired of hearing stuff off the streets,” declared Alderman Shawn Jacobs who said the mayor needs to face his constituents and own up to his violation of city rules. “At the very least there needs to be an apology. The community is going to be furious if we don’t do something.”

Alderman Murphy chimed in that, “A little remorse would go a long way,” he said of the mayor.

Alderman Jason Washer suggested that not only should the board censure the mayor but they should also ask that he pay the money back to the city that was paid to his son.

“As part of the censure we should ask that the money be paid back,” remarked Alderman Jacobs.

The aldermanic council stopped short of demanding the mayor’s resignation although Alderman Hendrix pointed out the city charter allows the council to heap punishment upon anyone who violates rules. The charter does not spell out how far the council can go although several of the aldermen in attendance said their constituents are “demanding the mayor’s head” for the violation of policy.

Alderman Hendrix stopped short of asking the city attorney to launch an investigation into the mayor’s actions, saying that the proof was obvious and that no investigation would be needed. However, Alderman Washer was insistent that the board find out what the city got for its money in hiring the mayor’s son, suggesting there was no proof that Tony Poss did anything on the job.

Since no action could be taken during the city board’s workshop last Thursday, a special called meeting was set for tomorrow night at 7 p.m. when they will be able to take action whether or not the mayor attends.
In the terms of Thursday night’s meeting, a censure means a public admonishment to the mayor that his actions were in violation of city rules.