Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Jasper mayor files for restraining order against former mayor

The battle royal in the city of Jasper continued today when Jasper Mayor John Rodebush filed for a restraining order against former Mayor Jim McCorkle.
Rodebush, who was elected earlier this year, has been a lightning rod for controversy, with more than 30 city workers leaving their positions during the past few months, either on their own or at the request of the city council, usually by 2-2 votes, with the mayor casting the deciding vote.
McCorkle, who served as mayor between 1999 and 2001, has been outspoken in his criticism of Rodebush. According to reporter Derek Spellman's article in the June 2 Joplin Globe, McCorkle was removed from two city council meetings after trying to address the council and mayor.
"For those of you who do not go to the council meetings, you missed a good lesson in dictatorship," McCorkle wrote in one of the letters that he has distributed through Jasper, according to the Globe article.
A 1:30 p.m. Jan. 4 hearing has been scheduled for Rodebush's request for a full order of protection. Until that time, a temporary restraining order, signed by Judge Stephen Carlton, is in place, according to Jasper County Circuit Court documents.

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