Adam Paul, Matt Pirrello React To Judge's Stay Of Impeachment

Adam Paul held a news conference with his attorney late Monday afternoon following a judge's decision to stay his impeachment from the Ellisville Mayor's office.

"Right now, obviously, it's amazing that I'll get to crack the gavel again, but my biggest concern is turning around our city's image right now," Paul said

Paul said he would press for an investigation into the process that led to his removal and would continue to be outspoken in his opposition to the proposed Walmart project, the issue that he all along has believed was related to efforts to oust him from office.

Paul said he would chair the special city council meeting called for Tuesday night by Mayor Pro Tem Matt Pirrello at 5:30 p.m. Council members learned of the meeting Monday afternoon following the announcement of the stay, but Pirrello told Patch that plans for the meeting circulated on Friday via email. He said the meeting was called to discuss personnel matters and to hire a special counsel to advise the council on a decision related to issuing Tax Increment Financing (TIF) notes on the proposed Walmart project.

The council voted to pursue a special counsel related to the TIF after Paul made a suggestion from the audience last month on the same night the council voted 3-3 on rescinding the impeachment decision.

Pirrello told Patch that while he was disappointed with the judge's ruling and said he thought the city council had done its due diligence with respect to the impeachment process, " I respect the court's order, I welcome his reinstatement."

Ward 1 Councilman Gary Voss told Patch "I think it is a Great Day in the City of Ellisville. Now we can get on with City Business," via email.

Ellisville's Special Counsel on the matter, John Maupin, told Patch late Monday afternoon that he was reviewing the court's order and weighing options but had not made a decision about what to do moving forwrd. Maupin said he would meet with City Council members this week.

City Manager Kevin Bookout did not return several phone calls seeking comment. 

When asked by reporters Monday, Paul said he would likely recuse himself from voting on resolutions related to resolving the legal dispute against him. He also suggested he wouldn't vote on any decision related to whether the city should rescind last month's vote to call a special election for Mayor following the original impeachment decision.

Judge Vincent's temporary stay doesn't provide explicit guidance about whether that election should be held, but Paul's lawyer said it. "He's got full authority, he's got full voting authority. It's as though the impeachment has never occurred," said Paul's attorney, Chet Pleban. "To the extent that there is an election, I don't think that would be proper under the circumstances," he said.

Pirrello was unsure Monday of what would become of the November election. "This completey disrupts anything," he said.

Now, for the first time in months, Paul will find himself with the gavel back in his hand Tuesday night, sitting with some of the same people who voted to impeach him not long ago.

"I've got to maintain decorum and I've got to be professional. but it is going to be hard to have to sit professionally at the dais with individuals that have tried to railroad you," he said. "But at the end of the day, I was elected by the people no matter who is sitting around me and I think I can get past that."