McCormick was fired last Thursday, May 28, during a special closed meeting held by the board of aldermen. During the executive session held last Thursday, the board also voted to promote Melody Rugh from administrative assistant to fill McCormick's former position. McCormick was informed of the decision the following morning and, according to Board President Fred Flake, she was given the option to resign or be terminated. He said McCormick opted to be fired. "It was for various reasons," Flake said. "She wasn't following her job description." As city clerk, McCormick was responsible for taking the minutes of the various city meetings and preparing the meeting agendas. She also was in charge of filing legal notices, certifying official documents and keeping track of permanent records for the city. Flake declined to comment further, saying it was a "personnel issue." Mayor Greg Costello and Director of Operations/Finance Officer Terri Thorn also declined to talk specifics about McCormick's dismissal. McCormick, who would have been with the city for five years next month and was city clerk for about two years, told The Record "I'm being pulled in a different direction. Things happen for a reason." She also refused to discuss specifics. Costello said the city clerk position has less responsibility than in previous years. "The city clerk's job description in 2009 is significantly different than what it had been historically up until this point," Costello stated. Rugh's promotion was effective Monday, according to Thorn. Rugh's annual salary will be the same as McCormick was making at $39,028.63. Rugh was previously earning $29,484. Thorn said Rugh will continue to fill some of her old responsibilities in her new position. Other duties will be completed by other city staff, Thorn added. "We are attempting to become as efficient as possible," Thorn said. She also added that Rugh "has always proven to complete the tasks the city has asked her to accomplish." Warrenton also is in the search for a water supervisor after firing Rich Miller earlier this month. Costello said the recommendation on Miller's status was made by Public Works Director Rob Hamlin. Costello refused to comment on whether Miller's firing had anything to do with water quality issues the city faced in the past year. Miller was being paid $42,848 a year.