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September 9, 2010

By Jennifer Jacob Brown / jbrown@themeridianstar.com The Meridian Star The Meridian Star Thu Sep 09, 2010, 06:00 AM CDT

MERIDIAN —     When it comes to Bill Ready, Sr.'s replacement by Ronnie Walton as city attorney, everyone seems to have a different story.

   Ready's last day as city attorney was Tuesday, when the city council voted unanimously to replace him with the law firm of Glover, Young, Walton, and Simmons. The council made their vote on the recommendation of Mayor Cheri Barry, who implied that Ready's position as city attorney had been temporary all along.

   The city attorney is hired on a one year contract, and is either reappointed or replaced each year.

   When asked why Ready was not reappointed for another year as city attorney, Barry gave a contradictory answer, saying, "You'll have to ask him (Ready) that. It was strictly a decision by the mayor and city council."

   Ward 1 City Councilman Dr. George Thomas said that, while it was ultimately the city council's decision, replacing Ready with Walton was the mayor's idea.

   "That was the mayor's recommendation," said Thomas. "She didn't really get into (the reasons for) it, but she had said that his health had prevented him from doing certain things. . . I had been told his son (Attorney Bill Ready, Jr.) had to do several of the things for the city."

   But Ready said his health is not an issue, and that the mayor simply decided she would rather have another attorney. "I'm no more healthy or unhealthy than I've been for years," he said.

   "When the mayor decides that she doesn't want that particular lawyer anymore, then she nominates someone else," he added. "It's a one year contract for lawyers; that's the way it's always done. . . That's just part of my profession."

   Ready said he does not consider his being replaced "a big deal."

   Barry said Ready did a good job during his year as city attorney, and, other than hinting that timing was an issue, would not cite any reasons for choosing to recommend a different attorney.

   "Bill served during a transitional year. . . There was no one better than Bill Ready to help us through that transition," she said. "He has been a blessing and a lot of fun to work with."

   Walton could not be reached for comment.

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