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Council votes against personnel discussion

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – An attempt to adjourn into executive session to discuss personnel issues failed Tuesday night in Commerce by a 3-2 vote.

Council was scheduled to hear details concerning recent charges made against Billie Biggerstaff, Tony Henry and Richard Hill, as well as several city administrators. Biggerstaff, Henry and Hill voted against the adjournment while Quay Throgmorton and Bob Monday voted for it.

Mayor Throgmorton had called for an investigation into the three council members and administrators following a March 4 vote (also a 3-2 vote) that led to the indefinite suspension of City Manager Dion Miller.

The personnel items may again be placed on next month's agenda, but that was unclear as of Tuesday night, according to Throgmorton, who declined further comment on the subject.

Following the meeting, Councilman Tony Henry said the actions were "just politics."

Councilman Hill reiterated his dissatisfaction with Miller, stating he felt Miller "drug his feet" on several items such as the finalization of a water contract with Texas A&M University-Commerce, renewing a contract with the county health department and construction of a new park pavilion.

Hill also credited the appointment of Director of Administrative Services Marc Clayton as Interim City Manager, which was announced last week. Clayton held the same position for several months following the resignation of Bill Shipp before the city hired Miller in July 2008.