City Clerk and City Attorney Fired; Reason Withheld - FOX 42: Omaha News, Sports and Weather; kptm.com |

Curt Casper

LOGAN, IA  (KPTM) – By a 3-0 decision the city of Logan, Iowa has decided to fire both the city clerk and the city attorney Friday night.

Thursday night the three city council members decided to hold an emergency meeting to fire City Clerk/Administrator Angela Winther and City Attorney Joseph Lauterbach.

The motion was brought forth by City Councilman Skip Johnson. He said Friday night the city wouldn't release why they were being fired but were seeking legal council before telling the public. He also told people at the meeting there would be a public meeting held at a later date.

All but one member of the council voted during the meeting. Dennis Crum stated before the meeting that he would not be voting and he felt the meeting was illegal.

The problem started back in March when an Eagle Scout and members of the local Kiwanis wanted to clean up Milliman Park and restore the old walking trails.

Many thought it was a good idea, while others felt the people who live near the park would have their privacy violated.

No decision has been made to approve the clean up and restoring the walking trails.

Councilman Skip Johnson lives in the area of the park. His wife, Samantha Johnson, told Fox 42 on Friday she was never against the clean up of the park, but instead wanted the restoration to be done with the proper permission. She said she would like the trails to be at least 20 – 30 feet away from her property line or would like a fence built between the trail and her property. However, there has not been a survey completed to determine where the Johnson's property line ends.

People Fox 42 spoke with on Friday feel that both Winther and Lauterbach were being fired because they were for the restoration of the park. Winther's husband is the Boy Scout's leader.

Bill DeWitt said, "It is cleaning up, that is the thing, when you tell somebody what is going on, especially someone who is out of town they are just shocked we are cleaning up a park."

"Someone being fired for wanting to clean up the park would be stupid," Samantha Johnson said.

Johnson also tells Fox 42 she is worried for the safety of her family.

"Our children has been harassed, there have been threats made against us, it is absolutely harming our family," she said.