Grand Jurors Call for Clerk`s Removal

Grand jurors investigating voter problems say Pulaski County needs a new circuit county clerk. Today after convening for the second time on this matter, jurors filed a presentment against current clerk Carolyn Staley. In it they call for her removal from office on three counts - incompetency, making continued mistakes and not fulfilling her job requirements. As opposed to an indictment, a presentment covers civil wrongdoing. Assistant county prosecutor W.A. McCormack would not make any comments after helping panel members file their recommendations. Staley left the grand jury hearing rooms through a back door after giving her testimony and was not available for comment later at her office. Election Commission Chairman Jerry Larkowski has long said that when it comes to the county`s error-riddled voter rolls, he wants to attack the problem, not a person. He was subpoenaed to testify before the grand jury today. After learning that the panel called for Staley`s removal he said, " there`s part of me that`s glad this happened...to show the voters we are making the changes that need to be done. The only one that had the power to do that was Ms. Staley. It`s sad it had to come to this, but hopefully this will be the first step to getting this accomplished." Despite this action by the grand jury, Staley can still show up for work tomorrow. A circuit judge will have to review the panel`s recommendations and decide how to proceed.