Council questions police chief firing

REARDAN — Questions about the decision to fire the police chief took center stage during the Thursday, July 2, City Council meeting.

Councilwoman Leanne Merkel and several residents expressed frustration that the council was not informed before Mayor Kathy Eastman terminated Chief Barbara Werner earlier this month.

“I think it would have been nice if this had been discussed a little bit,” Merkel said. “That’s a huge decision that’s going to affect our whole town for years to come.”

Eastman said the decision was within her mayoral authority and that she would not discuss personnel matters in op...