By Angela Hatton
Clarksville, TN – A Clarksville firefighter twice fired from his job is seeking reinstatement. Stephen Sherlock says former Mayor Johnny Piper improperly removed him from office. Mayor Piper went against a city appeals board recommendation and fired Sherlock in May for allegedly violating the city's ethics code. A company Sherlock owned had agreed to do work on the wastewater treatment plant. Clarksville's ethics rules prohibit city employees from engaging in such conflicts of interest. City Communications Director Mark Hicks says a judge reinstated Sherlock in December.
"He allowed 60 days for it to be reconsidered by the mayor. And it apparently came back before Mayor Piper left office. So then, Mayor Piper reviewed the case and upheld the dismissal."
Sherlock's lawyer now claims the decision should have been left to incoming Mayor Kim McMillan. Hicks says McMillan doesn't plan to get involved unless a judge directs her to act. The case is under review.