On Monday evening five members of the City Council held a joint Ward Meeting at Our Savior Lutheran Church on Elm Street. Numerous department heads were in attendance including Interim Police Chief Larry White. Residents in attendance told the First Capitol News, during the question and answer section Councilman John Gieseke Ward 8, asked White a question regarding leadership that should be provided to the 30 plus police officers who did not sign a letter claiming emotional stress. They said White mentioned it was a personnel problem and he could not respond. As White returned to his chair they overheard him say, “Gieseke is an A______.” City Council President Rory Riddler also heard White’s comment about Councilman Gieseke. The residents said Riddler leaned over to White and they heard him tell White he could not refer to a City Councilman in such a manner in a public meeting . Riddler told White if he could not control himself he should leave. White then got, up spoke briefly to City Administrator Alan Williams and left the meeting.
Although Williams had earlier told the City Council he wanted to extend White’s Contract beyond it’s $20,000 minimum, White was gone Tuesday morning.
White and Ron Battelle had been hired by Williams, at the urging of the Mayor, as Interim Chief and Consultant and others were given contracts of about $20,000, the maximum Williams can authorize without City Council approval. Battelle’s contract had expired earlier.
Captain Pat McCarrick Appointed Interim Chief of Police
Captain Pat McCarrick, a 31 year veteran and former Chief, was named St. Charles Interim Police Chief Tuesday morning.
McCarrick will head the department until such time as a permanent Chief is named.
McCarrick is the 6th person to serve as interim chief or consultant since former Chief Paul Corbin’s contract was not extended in September 2003.
When Corbin was forced out, Lt. Dennis Corley was appointed and served until the City Council ordered him removed. Then Major Gooch served until he retired in January. Larry White and Ron Battelle both served with $20,000 contracts and former Chief Dave King is currently serving as a consultant with a $20,000 contract.
