The Stubborn Clerk and the Mayor's Keys
A city employee faces arrest and a $100 fine for refusing to surrender his office keys after being fired for poor housekeeping.
A local city official was ordered from his office yesterday and told if he did not turn over the keys, he would be arrested and tried in police court. Dr. Wilson was called in by Mayor Linck and asked to tender his resignation, but the mayor says he failed to do so and received a letter from Wilson refusing to resign. In the meantime, the mayor had sent him a letter removing him from office. Mayor Linck then appointed Dr. James O'Shea of the Paddock hospital to the position. Dr. O'Shea went to Dr. Wilson for the keys to the office and Dr. Wilson refused to give them up. Mayor Linck then invoked an ordinance which provides that any official who fails to turn over the keys and all other city property when a successor has been appointed shall be arrested and fined $100. Mayor Linck says he removed Wilson for neglect of duty, specifically noting that he failed to keep his office clean and refused to do the work designated by city officials, including Health Officer Sarvantich and Dairy Inspector Rhodes.
“Mayor Linck says he removed Wilson for neglect of duty. He failed to keep his office clean and refused to do the work designated by city officials.”
Public sector accountability remains a recurring civic friction, though modern administrative law has replaced the immediate threat of arrest for withholding office keys with HR protocols and civil litigation.
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