LOCUST GROVE — There was a meeting Friday at the Locust Grove Police Department attended by members of the town council. That in itself wouldn’t be a problem, but proper notice must be made when a meeting is called, allowing the public to attend if they desire.

According to the Oklahoma Open Meetings Act:

“All meetings of public bodies, as defined hereinafter, shall be held at specified times and places where are convenient to the public and shall be open to the public ...”

Regarding special meetings of public bodies, the open meetings law states: “Special meetings of public bodies shall not be held without public notice being given at least 48 hours prior to said meetings.”

Town Trustee Brenda Williams admitted to attending the meeting Friday. “It was just a meeting on procedure,” she said Tuesday afternoon. “I’m sorry I can’t talk about this any more.”  

Moments later, Mayor Terry Cooper  said he could not recall his whereabouts Friday morning. Cooper insisted he was doing his own investigation into personnel matters at the police department.

At the last town meeting, Assistant Police Chief Zeb Rone resigned after making a laundry list of allegations of misconduct against Police Chief Wade Henderson.

Town Trustee Martha Pierce said she was not notified about the Friday meeting.

Vice Mayor Health Holman said he was not at the police station Friday. He said he thinks the police were having a “regular squad meeting” but said he did not know anything more.

Newly sworn trustee Tony McFarland, was unavailable for comment.

Rone was hired in December. He told the council at the regular meeting he was being forced out of his job by Henderson because of his experience. Rone said he saw no point in continuing as assistant police chief.

This story has generated more media interest. Channel 23, the FOX affiliate in Tulsa, was in Locust Grove Wednesday working on a story about the police department.