Clendenin: Who's in charge?: Town charter, if found, could specify whether mayor or council has authority

DAILY MAIL STAFF

It wasn't exactly the shootout at the O.K. Corral, but the scenewas surreal.

Amid supporters and protesters gathered around Clendenin townhall, police officer C.L. Burkhamer returned to work.

This occurred on Wednesday night. Burkhamer had arrested Mayor BobOre on Saturday. The mayor had fired the officer on Monday.

Just a few moments after the officer arrived, however, towncouncil asked him to take the night off for insurance and safetyreasons until Kanawha Circuit Judge Tod Kaufman could rule as towhether he indeed is a Clendenin police officer. A decision wasexpected by mid-day.

Burkhamer was reinstated by the town's council in …