ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ

In Judge John Ross' harshest words to date regarding the Northeast Ambulance and Fire Protection District, he accused the district's leaders of "acting in self-interest and not in the interest of the public" and of being "out of control."

"There's no other way to put it," Ross said. "It's the court's belief, based on the evidence before it, that the board cannot operate in a proper and lawful manner."

Newly appointed board member Bridget Quinlisk-Dailey, the only Northeast board member at the hearing, praised the decision and said the funds should remain frozen "until we can get the board to act within the law and to not continually violate the Sunshine Law, as the judge stated."

The hearing was a continuation of a hearing a week ago regarding payment of district bills. Also before the judge Friday were motions by Northeast board president Robert Edwards and recently fired Chief Joseph L. Washington to dissolve the freeze on district accounts and assets. The freeze went into effect Oct. 20.

Those motions - argued by recently fired board attorneys Elbert Walton Jr. and Bernard Edwards Jr. - were denied.

Ross said he considered the Missouri state auditor's audit of the district, as well as testimony in court, in making his decisions.

He said there is evidence of Sunshine Law violations occurring even while the case has been proceeding. Ross noted a script for a Dec. 1 board meeting that a district office employee gave to Quinlisk-Dailey before the meeting. The document details much of what the directors were to say, and had director Rhea Willis seconding all of director Robert Edwards' motions.

"It is clear evidence of continuing violations of the Sunshine Law, and it's inexcusable that a director would be given something like this," Ross said of the script.

Ross also appeared perturbed after reviewing a resolution that the board had considered, and adopted a part of, in a meeting Tuesday night. The resolution, if adopted in its entirety, would have made district employees of consultant Anthony Weaver, accountant Gideon Adjetey and several security guards. The resolution also would have had the district give them back pay the court has blocked.

Walton, Bernard Edwards Jr. and newly hired board attorneys Anthony Gray and Rufus Tate argued that the resolution shouldn't be allowed into evidence, and Gray stressed that only part of the resolution was passed and that the rest was tabled.

"You all seem to be very embarrassed about this document," Ross said before overruling their objections and allowing the resolution to be admitted. A short time later, Ross said it was clear that the resolution's intent was to "circumvent the intent of the court."

Ross said he would appoint a special master next Friday because the public and the court lack confidence in the board's ability to administer and manage public funds. The special master will act on behalf of the court and will take over responsibility of the district's funds.

In the meantime, Ross ordered that district's payroll be paid - except for Washington's pay since he is no longer with the district.

After the order was announced, Walton told Ross the accountant had quit because he hadn't been paid. To the delight of a dozen Northeast residents in the courtroom, Ross responded, "When they were paying the accountant, according to the audit report, the records were the worst they'd ever seen."

Also Friday, Circuit Court Judge John Kintz granted a petition by ousted board member Bob Lee, who has accused the board of illegally removing him in July and putting Rhea Willis in his seat. A hearing on that matter, which could mean the end of Willis' run as a board member, has been scheduled for Dec. 21.