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 open session.

She told the council the town needed to move in a different direction, adding that Werner has not challenged the termination.

To find a replacement, Eastman said she ran a one-day advertisement in a Spokane newspaper, but found the cost of $175 too expensive.

The town is exploring lower-cost options, including advertising through Free Press Publishing, which operates seven newspapers and shoppers in Northeast Washington.

According to a Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office report, the Police Department handled 60 incidents in June, including 45 traffic offenses.

Law enforcement in town is being provided by the Sheriff’s Office.