Redkey council fires employee (08/13/07)

REDKEY - With about 35 persons in attendance and about half of them speaking out, the Redkey Town Council voted to fire street and utility employee Greg S. McIlwain, effective immediately, Monday night.

The special meeting lasted more than an hour, and most of the audience members spoke in favor of keeping McIlwain, a three-year town employee, who was recently charged with possession of marijuana.

Town clerk-treasurer Sandy Kirby said the majority of the audience members said McIlwain had a good work ethic and knowledge of the job.

After more than hour of public comments, council members voted unanimously to dismiss McIlwain but grant him two weeks pay. The motion to fire the town employee was made by council president Doug Stanley.

The motion and vote to dismiss McIlwain came after a motion to retain him had been rejected by a 3-2 margin.

Council member Dixie Toy made the motion to retain McIlwain, and it was seconded by Dottie Quakenbush. Darrell Smith, Charles Noble and Stanley voted against the motion to retain McIlwain.

Jay County police said McIlwain was arrested Sunday morning, Aug. 5, after police allegedly found seven marijuana plants in the bed of his pick-up truck.

McIlwain, 44, 25 N. Ash St., Redkey, was arrested near Mitchell and Union streets at the entrance to the Redkey Wastewater Treatment Plant. McIlwain allegedly told police he planned to bury the plants there.

He was charged with possession of marijuana, a class D felony.

Jay County deputy John Hankins was patrolling in the area and allegedly saw McIlwain standing near his truck about 1 a.m. Police said McIlwain was intoxicated.

He was released from the Jay County Jail on a $3,000 bond.

Possession of marijuana, normally a misdemeanor charge, is enhanced to a felony when the amount of marijuana is more than 30 grams.[[In-content Ad]]