“It’s Just Not a Good Day in Valley City”: Man Takes On City Commission

One concerned citizen in Valley City is making headlines again.

Bob Drake spoke in front of the city commission to address his concerns about a letter stating he was no longer allowed to speak about during his original statement.

It was not a pretty sight at the city commission meeting.

No one wanted to interfere with the cross fire between Bob Drake and City Attorney Russell Myhre.

“Drake was going to alledge new charges and allegations.’ I would like to know where that thought came from,” says Bob Drake, of Valley City.

Drake held nothing back when he went up to the podium.

City Attorney Russell Myhre spoke on the behalf of the city commission.

“I do not have to reveal that. Nevertheless I did do some additional research and you know sometimes people can change their mind. In this situation I referenced, there is a particular state statute that says that no employee may be terminated or disciplined without a due process hearing,” says City Attorney Russell Myhre.

Myhre is referring to the original request Drake had scheduled on the agenda to speak about terminating Police Chief Fred Thompson immediately.

Drake received the denial letter Saturday.

“What you’re trying to do is just keep me quiet and it’s just not right,” says Drake.

“It is not cutting off anyone’s voice. What it is is putting an order to this rather than running around and trying to find a way to get one’s name in the newspaper,” says Myhre.

Myher suggests that Drake consult with lawyers if he has further questions on this matter.

A statement that didn’t sit well with Drake, who wanted city commissioners to clarify this ordeal.

“From now on, I’m going to bring an attorney so that he can talk for me so I can talk to you? You’re setting a very bad precedent here,” says Drake.

Both Drake and Myhre seemed to be running out of steam.

Myhre declined to make further response to Drake.

“I wish you would get your stories straight because this is not correct. Anybody with any common sense understands that I have every legal right and under the constitution that I can address to the people that I elect. And if you’re trying to take that away from me, I feel really sad for you and the rest of you people. It’s just not a good day for Valley City,” says Drake.

The city commission had no comments during the duration of the debate between Drake and Myhre.

For the whole footage of the discussion, click here.