"The suspension stands until further notice," Mayor J.R. Crowson announced.
The town's former attorney, Gerald Hunter, submitted his resignation, which the council accepted. Hunter was supposed to resign at the close of the meeting, but during the meeting asked that his resignation be effective immediately.
Ken Cole, a reserve officer and animal control officer, was suspended for allegedly violating police and town policies after being accused of trying to frame a town council candidate.
Cole was placed on unpaid suspension indefinitely following an internal police department investigation into a complaint lodged against Cole by Bob Swofford, town council candidate.
Cole is accused of allegedly trying to get a high school student to leave marijuana at Swofford's home so Cole could take a photo of the delivery and then use the photo as a way to try to get Swofford to drop out of the race for town council, Roland Police Investigator Sgt. Jeremy Day said last week.
The person who Cole allegedly tried to get to assist him confessed and went to Swofford to tell him about Cole's plan, which was never carried out.
But since that complaint was lodged by Swofford, Cole has since denied trying to frame Swofford to impact the race for town council.
Cole's attorney, Frank Sullivan III of Sallisaw, said that Cole was only trying to investigate an allegation.
According to the formal appeal addressed to Crowson, Cole alleges that he heard from certain people that a high school senior was bragging about how she was selling marijuana to Swofford.
On March 13, Cole, who was not in uniform or in his town vehicle, allegedly met the student in the presence of two other people, Sullivan wrote. During the conversation, Cole claims that the student allegedly said that she sold marijuana to Swofford on numerous occasions. Cole allegedly asked the student if she would be willing to cooperate with law enforcement.
According to Sullivan, the student never called Cole back and after several attempts to contact her, Cole said the student's mother called and informed him that her daughter would not be getting involved.
Day said last week that all the allegations against Swofford have been unfounded and that there was no evidence that Swofford had done anything wrong.
During the more than two hours in executive session Tuesday night, the town council called in Cole and Matthew McKinney of Roland, who allegedly witnessed the meeting that Cole had with the high school student.
Before going into executive session, Sullivan and Crowson exchanged heated words about allowing Sullivan to address the board on behalf of Cole.
Crowson said that in an open meeting, at that time, Sullivan could not address the board.
"Right now we're going into executive session," Crowson said. "If so needed, we'll call him (Cole) in."
Later, when Crowson retrieved Cole, Crowson refused to let Sullivan accompany Cole into the executive session.
Sullivan said that he did not know why the council would not allow him to represent Cole during the executive session.
"It just seems only fair to have his attorney present," Sullivan said.
He said that he did not know if an attorney could accompany a client into an executive session and that he would have to research the matter.
After the council made their decision to table the matter until further notice, Crowson offered an apology for being rude to the public and Sullivan.
"I make the same apology," Sullivan said.
OTHER BUSINESS
In other business, the council heard updates about the town's wastewater treatment plant project, which is expected to be completed in mid-2009. Jay Updike, who is overseeing the project, addressed the board about the Department of Environmental Quality permitting process for the plant.
Updike said that they should bid the project early next year, and the construction should take about 14 to 15 months.
The council also approved a fundraiser request from New Beginnings Christian Center in Muldrow to paint 9-1-1 addresses on the curbs in the town.
Joetta Tyler, deputy clerk, explained that residents make a donation to the church to have their new 9-1-1 address painted on the curb in front of their home. The money raised benefits the church.
The council approved the appointment of James Edwards as the representative for the Roland Fire Department on the Sequoyah County Fire Department Tax Board, with Doug Cantrell as an alternate for the board. The county board makes recommendations to the county commissioners about the approval of funds from a tax passed last year by voters for the county fire departments.
Other business approved included an agreement between the county nutrition project and the town for a nutrition program in the town, and various lease purchase agreement renewals for town equipment and vehicles.
The board also approved an amendment in the amount of bond for public intoxication. Roland Police Chief Tommy Sessums explained that the law now allows a maximum charge of $100, and the town's current bond for public intoxication is $300.
During the public comment section of the meeting, Doris Hodges addressed the board about what she perceived as the "wrong" that has taken place in the city.
Hodges went on to request that the town administrator step down from his position and give back all of his earnings to the town. She went on to request a glass of water and then toasted to fairness in the town.
Kathy Jaber also addressed the board and said that she was there on behalf of Cole. Jaber said she moved to Roland three years ago and that she is a single parent raising four children.
"Kenny has been nothing but a blessing to me and my kids," Jaber said.
Jaber said Cole has more character than most people she knows and that he cares about the town.
