It was discussion that left many in attendance of the Tuesday night Clinton City Council meeting perplexed.

The discussion in open session of a volunteer fire fighter's status on the department despite legal troubles he ran into earlier this year.

The nearly 10 minute discussion centered around the appointment of Assistant Fire Chief Raymond James and a DUI he received in DeWitt County earlier this year. Mayor Roger Cyrulik indicates it was discussion the Council had internally prior to the meeting, however, Council Member Nan Crang brought it back up in open session.

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The Mayor and Crang voted against the appointment of James to the position. The Mayor indicates he voted no because he felt James needed to better represent the Fire Department.

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City Attorney Steve Myers indicated Tuesday there was no conflict from keeping James from taking the post. He explains James was on his own time at the time of the incident and therefore he was not violating any policies the City or the Fire Department had.

Additionally, both Ballenger and interim Fire Chief David Dallas vouched for James, giving him a vote of confidence in front of the Council.