Red Bud Council accepts Creighton's resignation
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA["Mayor Mueller, effective today December 24, 2008, I respectfully resign my position as Police Chief for the City of Red Bud Illinois..." wrote James M. Creighton effectively ending his reign as Chief of Police for the City of Red Bud. The Red Bud City Council voted to approve his resignation at the regular City Council meeting on Monday, Jan. 5, 2009. This is the culmination of events concerning Creighton's position that lead back to Nov. 2007 when Creighton accepted the position as Chief of Police. Creighton wrote in a letter dated Nov. 26, 2008, "In November 2007 I eagerly accepted the opportunity to serve as Red Bud, Illinois Police Chief...I quickly learned that the majority of the City Council would work feverously to obstruct the vary programs which would enhance the Departments ability to serve the citizens of Red Bud." Creighton's was upset, among other reasons, at the Councils decisions to reject programs such as: the Citizens Emergency Response Team, Volunteers in Policing, and an Explorer Post. In July, the Council voted to terminate Creighton's pay, which he said, "...the City Council once again, placing their own agenda before that of the citizens, voted to terminate my pay in an effort to encourage me to resign." Creighton in turn sued the city for his contractual pay and accepted a $50,000 buyout. In the conclusion of his letter, Creighton states, "I truly hope the citizens will one day realize Red Bud can again become the jewel of Randolph County, but, it will not happen without their involvement in City government."
In other Red Bud Council News:
-The sale of Lot #2 in East Industrial park was approved. The Farm Credit will be constructing a new building at the site.
-The Council voted to have the city attorney begin legal proceedings concerning the Siegfried Building.
-The Council will begin to accept bids for a Water Retention Tank, which will cost approximately $380,000.
-A number of city employees will begin training programs in the near future.