City of Compton

The Springfield City Council has tapped Planning Commissioner Jerry Compton to fill the vacancy left by Ralph Manley.

Compton beat out web designer Jeremy Cady and architect Dan Scott for the position, after all three finalists answered the same four questions from Mayor Jim O'Neal. Manley's departure left the Mayor in the position to appoint the new member with council's confirmation.

WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE

Compton's experience in planning and knowledge of the economic tools in city government clearly helped carry his case. Compton, who is expected to be sworn in next week, won the votes of six of the eight council members. Five votes were necessary for Compton's confirmation.

Doug Burlison and Nick Ibarra voted for Cady.

Compton said his first move as a councilman will be to reach out to the wide demographic of people who make up Zone 3. He'll stand for his first election in 2011. Mayor O'Neal encouraged both Cady and Scott to run for the Zone 3 council seat when it comes open.

Compton is the brother-in-law of Greene County GOP activist Ann Compton.

Replacing Ralph Manley

Springfield City Council convenes at 6 p.m. tonight to choose a new council member to replace Ralph Manley.

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Manley abruptly resigned on April 20th after failing to win enough votes to become Mayor Pro Tem. He said he was planning to resign at month's end because he was moving outside the city.

The three finalists for Manley's Zone 3 slot are web manager Jeremy Cady, architect Jerry Compton and architect Dan Scott. Each candidate will be asked the same set of questions tonight.

According to the City Attorney, it's Mayor Jim O'Neal's pick -- with the approval of Council.

GET TWITTER UPDATES FROM THE MEETING HERE

VIDEO: Ralph Manley Resigns

"I CANNOT GO ON"

In a shock to city officials and longtime residents, 10-year Springfield City Councilman Ralph Manley abruptly resigned his seat Monday night, after being unable to secure enough votes to be elected Mayor Pro Tem.

*WATCH THE RAW VIDEO OF MANLEY'S RESIGNATION ABOVE*

WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE

BELOW: MY INTERVIEW WITH MANLEY IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING HIS RESIGNATION

"AN INSULT . . . TO MY INTEGRITY"

Ralph Manley said his decision to resign from City Council was made up before Monday night, but that the Mayor Pro Tem vote "advanced" his resignation.

"I think it was an insult to my honesty and integrity. To have a couple of people with bankruptcy running against me, was an insult to my intelligence, and I cannot put up with that part," Manley told KY3 News, in a direct slam at his former council colleagues.

During the vote to become Mayor Pro Tem, here's how the battle lines were drawn:

SUPPORTING DAN CHILES -- Mayor O'Neal, Nick Ibarra, Scott Bailes & Dan Chiles (4 votes)

SUPPORTING DOUG BURLISON -- Cindy Rushefsky, Bob Stephens & Doug Burlison (3 votes)

SUPPORTING RALPH MANLEY -- John Rush & Ralph Manley (2 votes)

5 votes are needed to become Mayor Pro Tem. After three rounds of voting, the issue was tabled, because no candidate could reach the 5 vote threshold. The council decided to put the issue off until Tuesday's council lunch.

When asked if he deserved to be Pro Tem, or was entitled to the position, Manley replied, "You can put it that way."

MAYOR O'NEAL REACTS: "I didn't know it was going to happen. I was kind of shocked and disappointed, because I think the world of Ralph, but obviously he's upset about something."