Payne to leave office as Libby City Attorney

Libby City Council President Brent Teske confirmed Thursday that the contract between the city and the law firm of Doney Crowley P.C. and attorney Richard A. Payne will not be renewed for 2016. The contract is set to expire Dec. 31, 2015.

Details as of press time were sketchy regarding the reason behind the decision, but Teske said he believed the decision was made by Payne. He also said he was told by Mayor Doug Roll members of the City Council would have a letter in their boxes at city hall within “the next day or two.”

“The firm did a great job on prosecutions,” Teske said. “They really did, and I commend them for that. The problem was all the controversy that came along with it. I didn’t personally have the issues other council members seemed to have with him, he was always forthcoming and responsive to me.”

Council member Gary Neff said he was pleased to hear of Payne’s decision.

“It’s way overdue,” he said. “The man has caused too much trouble and I’m glad to see him gone.”

Payne said he was on the road and unable to comment before press time Thursday.