Bob Foos
Alan Griffin said Tuesday that he will keep showing up as mayor of Carterville for the seven months and seven days left on his term that ends in April – even though seven of the eight City Council members want him to resign.
Griffin’s refusal to resign came after several speakers from the floor criticized him while asking him to step down.
Four council members also addressed Griffin as they asked him to resign.
Brenda Cupp (4th Ward), who operates the Concerned Citizens of Carterville Facebook page, said there was a public outcry for Griffin to resign, especially since the release of the State Auditor’s audit of the city.
She said Griffin has done positive things in the past, but it is now the season for him to realize he has lost the confidence of the public and council and resign.
“You know we cannot legally force you to leave,” Cupp said. She acknowledged an impeachment process would be time-consuming and expensive.
A show of hands indicated nearly half of those in the room are in support of Griffin completing his term.
Devin Keeling (1st Ward) was the lone council member not asking Griffin to resign. Even though there was a petition, he said, “He (Griffin) will be gone in April.” He urged the council to save the city money and avoid bad publicity by not pursuing impeachment and removal from office.
Warren Myers (1st Ward) reminded Griffin of his earlier pledge that he would resign when he didn’t have support of the public. Since he said that is the current situation, “I’m also asking you to please step down.”
After allowing council members to speak, Griffin said, “I will not be bullied. I will not be intimidated. And I will not be threatened.”
At that point, he shared on the screen a hand-written threat he said he had received. He said that isn’t the only threat he has received and that he has contacted the FBI about the written threat.
“I still want to do more,” he said. “I want to make a difference in this city.”
Griffin called a special council meeting to be held Thursday to choose which bid to accept for trash service.
City Administrator Jonathan Cook said that decision could impact the fee paid by residents for the next contract period.
