Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 16, 1993                   TAG: 9306160116
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: DUBLIN                                LENGTH: Medium

FIRED CHIEF SAYS HE'LL SUE DUBLIN

"I just want a settlement and my name cleared," he said.

McKinney said he met once this week with his attorney, Roger Fitzpatrick of Roanoke, and has another meeting scheduled for today. He declined to comment further but indicated he might have a statement later this week.

In late May, Mayor Benny Keister dismissed McKinney, who had been with the department since 1976, without public explanation. The chief's last day on the job was May 28.

The mayor's action followed by several days a closed-door Town Council meeting, during which Keister informed council of his intentions to fire the chief. Town Council did not vote on the matter.

Keister said McKinney would be paid through June, but McKinney has said he thought the town owed him more than that because of unused vacation and sick leave.

The former chief has said he had thought about retiring when he turned 63 in August.

Town Administrator Gary Elander said he had no information or comment about McKinney's plans. "The way we left it, his attorney was to get in touch with the town's attorney."

Town Attorney Tommy Baker said Tuesday he had not heard from McKinney or his attorney.

Earlier this month, McKinney said town officials offered to give him his job back, but refused to put it in writing. Town officials have refused to comment on McKinney's claim. Councilwoman Elsie Repass had threatened to quit after McKinney's dismissal, but she said Tuesday that she's "decided to ride it out." Repass said she'd like to see McKinney reinstated.