Larry Wilder resigns from Jeffersonville City Council, Great Clark County Schools board

Clark County

Discussion

June 25, 2009

Sellers: He’ll continue to litigate cases he’s handling at present

DAVID A. MANN, TARA HETTINGER AND MATT THACKER The News and Tribune Thu Jun 25, 2009, 02:22 PM EDT

Larry Wilder, the attorney who was found by police sleeping in his neighbor’s garbage can last week after a night of drinking, has resigned as the Jeffersonville City Council attorney.

Wilder said he also would quit as attorney for the board of Greater Clark County Schools.

“I like the people I work for, and it’s certainly not fair for people to put up with the type of criticism and attacks they were enduring because of my actions,” Wilder said in an interview Wednesday.

He said it would be up to the council whether he continues to represent them in pending litigation.

Council President Connie Sellers said Wilder would continue to handle pending litigation that the city is involved in. Other council members weren’t positive that would be the case, saying that a vote needs to take place.

“Am I happy to see him resign? No. But I think it’s best considering the situation,” Sellers said.

Wilder’s story has become the subject of national headlines during the last week.

“I think Mr. Wilder did the right thing,” said Councilman Ron Grooms. “I think it was in the best interest of everyone involved.”

Grooms said he wouldn’t be opposed to having Wilder continue working on litigation that he’s already started.

“He could be of assistance on that,” said Grooms.

Councilman Ed Zastawny said he would support having Wilder continue on litigation as well. However, he wants the council to vote on the matter.

“It’s not a done deal. We haven’t met as a group to discuss this,” he said.

The council has planned a special meeting for 6 p.m. Monday, although it wasn’t clear as of press time what would be discussed.

Zastawny said he thought the resignation was a good move.

“It would have been a liability with that hanging over his head — [Wilder] realizes that,” he said.

Councilman Nathan Samuel said he appreciated the resignation, saying Wilder took the high road by offering it.

“I wish him the best and hope he can put this behind him,” he said.

Councilwoman Barbara Wilson said she didn’t know if the resignation was necessary and noted she hasn’t talked to Wilder since the incident took place.

According to Samuel, who sits on the council’s Budget and Finance committee, Wilder is paid $100 per hour for his representation.

In 2008, Wilder was the highest paid of Jeffersonville’s six city attorneys, receiving $107,000 in tax dollars. That’s four times more than the next highest-paid city attorney.

Samuel was unsure if the attorney also billed a retainer.

Greater Clark County Schools Board President Bob McEwen could not be reached for comment on the resignation. And school board members that were reached said they hadn’t heard anything official yet from Wilder.

Christina Gilkey, a board member, said she hadn’t heard about the resignation until she saw media reports.

“I’m actually a little perturbed that I’m hearing this from a third party,” she said.

She said Wilder’s contract doesn’t have an expiration date and that it would continue unless written resignation was given to the board president or if the board decided to terminate his contract.

Under that deal, he’s paid $100 per hour for noncourtroom work and $150 for court work. The one-year anniversary of the contract is upcoming, she noted.

Board member Becka Christensen also said she hadn’t officially heard if Wilder’s resignation from the school board was final.

However, if it was, she said she would accept it, noting that she has received numerous calls and e-mails since the story hit the newspaper and TV.

“For the last year, I have heard all of us are held to a higher standard. I agree. The fact that we represent children, the fact that although it was a very unwise decision on his [Wilder’s] part ... he would also be aware that he is held to a higher standard.”