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NORTH MANCHESTER - North Manchester Town Council president Don Rinearson announced Wednesday that resumes are again being accepted for the town marshal position.
After reviewing more than 30 resumes since January, and interviewing the top two candidates, the position was initially offered to Gary Herman, of Illinois, who accepted, yet later declined.
A group of supporters for the second choice interview candidate, Barry Hicks, who was not offered the position, attended the Wednesday town council meeting and spoke on Hicks' behalf.
Jessica Hicks, Barry Hicks' daughter, accused the board of sending her father mixed messages. According to her, he was told by three board members, on separate occasions, that he was the perfect candidate for the position. Then, when the other candidate declined the position, he was not even considered for the job.
"None of you had the courtesy to call him when that outsider turned you down. You had a very good candidate right here you could have hired," Jessica Hicks said.
Kay Snipes spoke on Hicks' behalf as well, saying that the board was being discriminatory in its hiring practices. Snipes and Jessica Hicks also said Hicks was told that his only disadvantage compared to the other candidates for the position is that he is an "insider," having worked for the North Manchester Police Department before and having strong political ties to the community.
Fairness to current police chief Linda Learned also was discussed at the meeting. Snipes urged the board to act quickly, saying that the board has treated Learned unfairly by asking her to maintain her position until they find what they consider to be a better candidate for the job. She has operated the police department in this state of limbo, knowing her leadership was unwanted , since January.
In other business, the board approved a Solidarity March for North Manchester Foundry Workers. The striking workers will march July 12 from noon to 1:30 p.m. beginning at Warvel Park, marching on Main, Market and Wabash streets.
Town council members are: president Don Rinearson, Stan Escott, Kyle Merritt, John Mugford, Bill Hix and Warren Garner. Town manager is Dan Hannaford.
