NEWS

Marionville aldermen to meet about mayor's statements

Sarah Okeson
News-Leader

Marionville aldermen plan to meet tonight to discuss the anti-Semitic statements that the city's mayor made after the arrest of Frazier Glenn Miller in the fatal shootings of three people at Jewish organizations in suburban Kansas City.

The aldermen will discuss drawing up a resolution about statements made by Mayor Dan Clevenger, according to the city clerk's office. That meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. at city hall.

Clevenger, 59, declined to talk today about the meeting and earlier statements that he has made.

"I'm not going to make any comments," he said.

Clevenger told the News-Leader in an article published Friday that he believes that Jews have played a role in hurting the American economy.

"The futures market, the federal reserve, the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health — every time I see that on the news, there are Jewish names and they run things," Clevenger told the News-Leader.

Clevenger's statements have prompted the resignation of Alderwoman Jessica Wilson and the city's attorney, Paul Link.

Link resigned Friday, effective April 30, according to the city clerk's office. The Lawrence County city of about 2,225 is about 34 miles southwest of Springfield.

Clevenger's comments have been denounced by the Anti-Defamation League in St. Louis which was founded to stop the defamation of Jewish people.

Alderwoman Donna White said Clevenger should resign. White said Clevenger thinks his comments are being blown out of proportion by a few people.

"I don't think he understands the position of mayor," White said.

There has been some talk in Marionville about impeachment, but White said she didn't know if that was possible.

"I don't think we can impeach him," she said.

Alderwoman Mary Ellen Brundle said Clevenger's statements were "abominable."

"They are so prejudiced," Brundle said.

Brundle said Clevenger is part of a new group of officials who were recently elected in Marionville who she said support the mayor.

"It looks like they will have their way until something happens," Brundle said. "I pray that God will intervene."

Miller, 73, lived outside of Marionville. Clevenger has said that he was a friend of Miller but isn't any more.

Miller has been charged in Kansas with the killings of William Lewis Corporon, 69, and his 14-year-old grandson, Reat Griffin Underwood, who were shot and killed April 13 outside of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City.

Shortly afterward, Terri LaManno, 53, the mother of a student at Missouri State University, was killed outside Village Shalom, a Jewish retirement center where she was visiting her mother. None of the victims were Jewish.

Marionville, MO