Granby council
to consider appeal
by former police chief
By Derek Spellman
dspellman@joplinglobe.com
GRANBY, Mo. — The Granby Board of Aldermen tonight is to take up the matter of the town’s fired police chief.
Former Chief Gail Bass says he was fired without cause June 23 by city officials.
Mayor Paul Ferguson said Monday that the board will discuss Bass’ appeal of his firing behind closed doors tonight. A decision on the appeal will be made in open session, Ferguson said.
Bass has said he was never furnished an explanation for why his employment was terminated.
The only explanation offered by city officials, he said, was that there had been “a lot of talk” about the department, which he said he took to mean complaints, and allegations that the department on one occasion had no one available to take a call, so the Newton County Sheriff’s Department had to respond.
Ferguson said he could not disclose the reasons for Bass’ firing, saying it was a personnel matter.
Bass said he has enlisted Joplin attorney Michael Smalley to represent him.
Smalley was unavailable for comment Monday.
Meanwhile, the city has been seeking applications for a new police chief. It has received 14 applications so far, Ferguson said. The city has four full-time police positions, including the chief’s.
Bass, 50, was hired as Granby police chief in November. He had previously served with the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department until September 2003. He said he has worked in private security during the intervening years.
Time and place
The Granby Board of Aldermen will meet beginning at 7 p.m. today at Granby City Hall.
