MEDORA

Medora’s town marshal and a reserve officer both have been terminated for what the town council described as “personnel issues.”

During a recent meeting, the council unanimously approved the terminations of Mark Stargell, who had served as town marshal for the past year, and Reserve Officer Josh McConnell.

The marshal is the town’s only paid police officer. Reserves are unpaid and are asked to put in a minimum amount of hours per month.

“Our current marshal has no arrest powers. All he can do is sit in the office. He doesn’t even bother to come down and sit in the office,” council President Jerry Ault said, referring to Stargell. “He hasn’t shown any kind of paperwork that says he can’t come down here.”

Ault also said he recently had seen more officers with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department patrolling the town than the town’s own officers.

“I’d say we get rid of both of them because right now, we’re wasting money,” Ault said before the council voted on the personnel matters.

“I think that’s the best idea I’ve heard in a long time,” Councilman Jim Davers said.

Ault said he had discussed the issues with town attorney Matt Lorenzo, who said it was up to the council to propose the terminations.

Councilwoman Rhonda Freeman made a motion to terminate Stargell, Davers seconded and Ault made it unanimous. Davers then made a motion to terminate McConnell, Freeman seconded and Ault again made it unanimous.

Clerk-Treasurer Betty Campbell asked how she goes about paying Stargell. Lorenzo said he stops getting paid once he’s fired.

The council also said Stargell will need to turn in any police department-issued equipment before he gets his final paycheck. That would include uniforms, keys, badges, radios, body cameras and bulletproof vests. McConnell also will have to turn in his equipment.

Applications for the marshal position and reserve officer are available at the town hall, 27 N. Perry St., Medora.