Fired city clerk re-hired with mayor's tie-breaking vote

A Philadelphia municipal court clerk who was fired two months ago in what turned into a prolonged veto controversy was re-hired after a tie vote tonight (Tuesday) broken by the mayor.

The clerk, Marilyn Jackson, was re-hired when Ward 2 Aldermen Jim Fulton and Ward 1 Alderman Joe Tullos split with Alderman-at-Large Leroy Clemons and Cassie Henson of Ward 4 in the absence of Ward 3 Alderman Ronnie Jenkins.

Clemons had made the motion to re-hire Jackson after officials discussed a decision by Attorney General Lynn Fitch’s Office that she would not rule on settled law that established the mayor’s August verbal veto as invalid.

Aldermen fired Jackson in a 3-2 vote (Fulton, Tullos, Jenkins) at their Aug. 18 meeting. Mayor James A. Young said at the time he would veto the vote, although he never filed official paperwork within the required 10 days.

According to the Aug. 18 minutes, aldermen voted to dismiss Jackson for improper handling of the office, effective immediately.

See next week’s Democrat for more details.