Muskogee city attorney resigns, describes "hostile work environment" - EUROPE SAYS
MUSKOGEE, Okla. — “Hostile work environment” is how the now former City Attorney of Muskogee describes working at city hall. “I don’t want anyone in here to take it out on the city attorney,” stated Muskogee. . .
MUSKOGEE, Okla. — “Hostile work environment” is how the now former City Attorney of Muskogee describes working at city hall. “I don’t want anyone in here to take it out on the city attorney,” stated Muskogee Mayor Ryan Lowe. “She is doing her job. ”The main conflict began last month at a special meeting of the Muskogee City Council. “The city attorney’s office was asked to give a legal opinion on a specific set of circumstances, not a specific person,” said City Attorney Keri Spencer during that meeting. Spencer was weighing in on whether Muskogee’s deputy mayor had a conflict of interest by also serving as the program director of the MLK Center. Spencer concluded, “Where the conflict arises is engaging in the duties of the MLK Center that includes day-to-day operations and decision making and giving directions to staff. ”It was an opinion that was questioned by City Councilor Melody Cranford. “How are we here if all of the recommendations in this legal opinion are not even done, starting at number one?” Cranford asked. The councilor said she felt the meeting was premature. “We continue to look incompetent because people jump the gun and do things because they are pushed by other people. ”The councilor also took issue with the amount of research she claimed Spencer had put into making the opinion. During the meeting, Spencer stated, “To answer your question, I have not seen Mr. Reed’s original application. ”Cranford replied, “Then how did you make these determinations and give us a legal opinion without doing those things?”At some points, it felt as if the city attorney was being cross-examined. One exchange between Spencer and Cranford is outlined below:SPENCER: Councilor Cranford, I did not speak to the attorney general. CRANFORD: I know. SPENCER: What I’m referring to is their published opinions. CRANFORD: I know, but I wanted the citizens to know that because the way this documentation is worded, it [seems] as if you spoke to some people on our behalf and you did not. ”SPENCER: Okay, and then—CRANFORD: And I do want the citizens to know that you did not do that on behalf of the City of Muskogee. All together, Spencer said the nature of the exchange took a toll on her, leading her to submit her resignation as city attorney on Wednesday night, stating in part, “Councilwoman Cranford impugned my character throughout her statement, accusing me of lying, being unethical, implying I am incompetent, stated that I was on a witch hunt. ”Specifically, during the meeting, Cranford had stated, “You did a disservice to Councilor Reed, whether he is right or wrong. Without vetting all of that information, you have us here on a witch hunt for no reason. ”FOX23 reached out to Councilor Cranford for comment and she provided the following statement:“This is a personnel issue within the city and we are waiting on legal feedback. I have no further comment until that time. ”During the meeting, Mayor Lowe attempted to deescalate the situation. “This meeting is not to attack anybody,” said Mayor Lowe. “When you say we’re attacking Mr. Reed, I’m sure that’s how the city attorney feels right now. ”Cranford replied, “Well, that’s fine. I’m asking her questions because it’s my job to ask her questions on behalf of citizens. She is my employee and I can do that. ”FOX23 also reached out to former City Attorney Spencer, but she declined to comment.