ARNOLD, MO (KTVI-FOX2now.com) -
Arnold's long time city attorney charged Friday he was dismissed by the City Council Thursday night after he stood up for the law in a zoning dispute with one of the council members. Robert Sweeney, who gave the city legal advice for nearly 17 years, plans to file a complaint against Council Member Jerel Poor with the Missouri Ethics Commission.
Jerel Poor, who represents Ward 2, is lobbying for exemptions from zoning rules in order to lease property next to his business at 2120 Michigan Avenue in Arnold, Missouri, to a commercial billboard company. The zoning board denied the application from DDI Media. Sweeney says Poor's efforts violate Missouri statutes because he would personally profit from his office. Sweeney quoted Poor's wife as saying they would receive "approximately $900,000 over a 30 year lease" from the owner of the billboard. A lease dated May of 2008 and provided by Sweeney promises $6,480 a year for the first ten years plus a percentage of the advertising revenue.
Poor refused to comment other than to say, "Sweeney can make up what he wants to." Poor referred reporters to a web site www.24thstate.com suggesting the website would bring Sweeney's credibility into question. The web site contains blogs criticizing Sweeney's role in a campaign to pass Proposition 9-1-1 in Jefferson County.
During the November 5 city council meetings, minutes indicate Poor made a motion to place a moratorium on the enforcement of the city's sign ordinance. No vote was taken on the motion. Sweeney and council members Randy Crisler and Bill Moritz say Poor has worked to replace three members of the Planning and Zoning Board.
In November, Poor led an effort to require all professional services be bid. Sweeney said his bid tied with another for the lowest offer of legal services. The vote Thursday night was 5 to 3 to dismiss him.
Jerel Poor, who represents Ward 2, is lobbying for exemptions from zoning rules in order to lease property next to his business at 2120 Michigan Avenue in Arnold, Missouri, to a commercial billboard company. The zoning board denied the application from DDI Media. Sweeney says Poor's efforts violate Missouri statutes because he would personally profit from his office. Sweeney quoted Poor's wife as saying they would receive "approximately $900,000 over a 30 year lease" from the owner of the billboard. A lease dated May of 2008 and provided by Sweeney promises $6,480 a year for the first ten years plus a percentage of the advertising revenue.
Poor refused to comment other than to say, "Sweeney can make up what he wants to." Poor referred reporters to a web site www.24thstate.com suggesting the website would bring Sweeney's credibility into question. The web site contains blogs criticizing Sweeney's role in a campaign to pass Proposition 9-1-1 in Jefferson County.
During the November 5 city council meetings, minutes indicate Poor made a motion to place a moratorium on the enforcement of the city's sign ordinance. No vote was taken on the motion. Sweeney and council members Randy Crisler and Bill Moritz say Poor has worked to replace three members of the Planning and Zoning Board.
In November, Poor led an effort to require all professional services be bid. Sweeney said his bid tied with another for the lowest offer of legal services. The vote Thursday night was 5 to 3 to dismiss him.
