Tensions flare at Reardan meeting

REARDAN — In a heated special session, Reardan Mayor Kathy Eastman clashed with council members over her decision to hire a full-time deputy clerk without prior approval, sparking accusations of budget overreach and lack of transparency just weeks into her term.

The Wednesday meeting at Community Hall, called to discuss the 2026 deputy clerk position and review attorney contracts, quickly devolved into personal barbs. Council member Leanne Merkel, recently fired as deputy clerk by Eastman, questioned the hiring of Juliet Richards at $19 an hour for 30 hours weekly, initially without benefits....