Chief of police, city council member lose elected seats

Hartshorne city officials say failure to complete a class required of all firsttime elected officials cost Hartshorne’s chief of police and a city council member their offices.

Former Hartshorne Chief of Police Josh Brillo and former Ward 1 City Councilor Tom Larsen did not complete a required Institute for Municipal Officials class as outlined in Title 11 O.S., Section 8-114, of the Oklahoma Municipal League Handbook, according to Mayor Leon Mace and Hartshorne City Attorney Richard Lerblance.

“(The statute) is very plain and clear and each one of them was made aware of it,” Lerblance said. “Leon called me (Monday) and inquired about it.”

The class in question provides elected officials with training related to municipal duties, Mace said.

“The class deals specifically with municipal finance issues, budgeting, purchase requirements, Open Meeting Act and conducting public meetings, Open Records Act and ethics and conflict of interest,” Mace said. “It’s an eight-hour class.”

Brillo told the NewsCapital on Tuesday he was under legal advice not to go into detail, but said he questioned the legality of the city’s actions.

“My lawyer told me not to say anything about it right now,” Brillo said. “We don’t see the legality in what they’ve done, so it will be addressed in a legal manner. I wasn’t advised I needed the class or afforded the opportunity.”

Lerblance said the city had record of Brillo attending part of the eight-hour class, but he did not finish. Each class consists of nine sessions.

“The chief had gone to three (sessions),” Lerblance said. “The councilman never went.”

Larsen was appointed to his position on the city council Feb. 8, 2016, to replace a seat left vacant by Carolyn Trueblood. Trueblood moved from her seat on the city council into the mayor’s post after the resignation of former Mayor Caleb Woten. Trueblood later resigned from the mayor’s position in fall 2016.

Larsen could not be reached for comment prior to publication.

Mace said the city will move forward and appoint individuals to serve as both Ward 1 city councilor and chief of police for the remainder of the respective unexpired terms.

With respect to the city council opening, City Councilor Joe Winslow, who also represents Ward 1, said this is an opportunity for someone seeking to serve their city.

“To anyone that feels like they might like to help, here’s your chance,” Winslow said. “Anyone who wants to help out, the spot is available.”

For the chief of police, Mace said he is working to fill the vacant position.

“We are actively now seeking potential candidates for interview,” Mace said. “I would hope that process occurs not quickly, but in a comfortable time frame.”