Gilliland to Stay in Office

CLEARFIELD - Mayor Patty Gilliland said she will not step down and plans to serve the remainder of her term. But the mayor said she will see about the possibility of running for re-election.

After a nearly hour-long executive session, which reconvened with a 5-1 vote, council members asked Gilliland for her resignation at Thursday night’s regular borough council meeting.

Borough Solicitor F. Cortez “Chip” Bell III told GantDaily.com following the meeting that the council cannot force the mayor out of office; the governor is the only person in the state that can remove an elected official from power, and prior to that, impeachment procedings must take place. 

Gilliland, who is currently in her third year in office, has one year remaining. Her term concludes at end of 2009. To remain in office, she must win the November 2009 election.

Gilliland said she had no idea the council would make its request prior to Thursday night’s closed session.

“But I’ve learned the council has been planning it for a couple of weeks,” she said.

According to the mayor, council members didn’t give her a reason but “mentioned a few things.” Gilliland said she addressed their questions during the closed executive session.

Gilliland declined further comment on the council’s reasons, or her thoughts of those reasons.

“I have a lot of thoughts right now. But I don’t wish to comment at this time,” she said.

The mayor said she had “absolutely not” done anything illegal or that would call for her resignation.

“I have done nothing but work to help move this town forward and be proactive in the community,” she said. “I have no idea what they’re thinking. I have no idea.”

Gilliland said she did not recall council members mentioning the recent controversy over the delivery of invitations by members of the Clearfield Borough Police Department for Gov. Edward G. Rendell’s visit to Lower Witmer Park the afternoon of Aug. 14.

Gilliland said the invitations were not “political” in nature.

“People had worked together on projects, and Gov. Ed Rendell liked our master plan. We were receiving monies to carry out these projects,” she said.

“It wasn’t political. People had worked together for the betterment of this community. It was a celebration.”

Gilliland said she couldn’t release the information about the Governor’s visit right way but thought “it would be really nice” for others to share in the celebration.

She said her idea for borough police officers to deliver the invitations stemmed from community members who had approached her and said they no longer knew the officers by name.

“Ever since I’ve been mayor, I’ve wanted to get them out on foot and in the community,” she said.

Gilliland said she and Borough Operations Manager, Leslie Stott agreed it was a “great idea.” She said Stott later shared the idea with Police Chief Jeff Rhone. Gilliland said Stott told her he thought so as well.

“I thought, ‘oh my gosh, we’re all on the same page. This is really wonderful,” she said.

Gilliland said she went over to the police department and found a stack of invitations that had not been delivered. She said Sgt. Gregory S. Neeper felt other "police reports and paperwork were more important."

“I said that’s fine. We’ll take care of it,” she said. “I’ve never made the officers do anything.”

Gilliland said the invitations were not to be a priority. The officers were to deliver the invitations  but  take a  call, when one came through.

According to a previous GantDaily.com report, the police department delivered about 30 of the invitations, while Gilliland, the borough operations manager’s daughter and another borough office worker delivered those that remained.

The mayor said Rhone didn’t notify her of any officers who objected to the program or felt it interfered with the completion of their duties.

“If any complained to the chief, I should have been advised,” she said.

Neither council members nor their solicitor would comment on the exact reason(s) for asking the mayor for her resignation following Thursday night‘s meeting.

Council Members, Jim Leitzinger, Larry Mack, Barry Reddinger, Rodger Baumgardner and Susan Reed voted in favor of the motion, while Council Member John Naddeo cast the only “no.” Council Members, Fred Wisor and Kathy Catherman were absent.