A Greene County official clashed with a judge at a town hall, alarming audience members

A confrontation between Greene County's top elected official and a judge at a public town hall has left some local residents questioning if the presiding commissioner, who is up for re-election this year, has the right temperament for leadership.

On March 27, in front of nearly 20 constituents, a red-faced Presiding Commissioner Bob Cirtin strode across the length of a room and pointed his finger in the face of Judge Mark Powell.

That's according to five witnesses who attended the meeting, hosted by Cirtin, at Turners Station Mercantile, a nearly 130-year-old store and community hub just east of Springfield.

Earl Garrett, who watched the interaction, said Cirtin yelled at Powell: "I do not lie, I am not a liar!"

"You could hear it from here to the highway," said Garrett, who said he thought the confrontation might turn physical.

It did not. Store owner Jill Elsey-Stoner stepped between the two men and demanded that they stop.

Contacted by the News-Leader, Powell said Cirtin has apologized to him and others multiple times for his behavior.

"For me, it's all water under the bridge," Powell said.

Cirtin also downplayed the outburst. Cirtin confirmed that there was a disagreement but said he does not recall coming close to Powell and pointing a finger at the judge's face.

"I have always had and continue to have much respect for Judge Powell," Cirtin told the News-Leader. "It was a case of two passionate people who agreed to disagree."

However, for regulars at Turners Station, Cirtin's quick temper and defensive tone have left a poor lasting impression.

Many local candidates and officials make Turners Station a stop on the town hall circuit. They know to expect a lively crowd and tough questions, according to Elsey-Stoner, who began opening up her store for political forums 24 years ago.

Elsey-Stoner said she was stunned by Cirtin's outburst.

"We've had loud discussions, but not like that," Elsey-Stoner said. "I never had anyone leave their seat to make a point ... It was just very unprofessional."

The tight-knit community was abuzz with the news about Cirtin's confrontation in the days after, Elsey-Stoner said. More than two weeks later, she still gets calls and questions about the incident.

Cirtin and Powell's disagreement was related to courtrooms and the future location of a Family Justice Center, aimed at helping victims of domestic violence, according to Elsey-Stoner.

Town hall attendee Keith Baxter recalled that Powell's demeanor was "very calm" throughout.

"Judge Powell very respectfully said, 'Bob, that's not quite right.' The commissioner lost his temper just like that," Baxter said, snapping his fingers. "He confronted the judge in a very unprofessional way in a public meeting. I was very disappointed in him."

Baxter said though he voted for Cirtin in the previous election, he does not plan to do so again.

Garrett, another town hall participant, told the News-Leader that Powell was sitting in a chair when Cirtin strode up to him.

Garrett recalled that Powell was talking about an unused courtroom in the Greene County Justice Center when he said to Cirtin, "You need to tell people exactly the truth."

As for Cirtin's reaction, Garrett said, "I have never seen any politician lose their cool like that, just explode all of a sudden ... someone who has a hairpin-trigger fit for no reason."

Chris George was sitting near Powell during the March meeting. He said he sat at the edge of his seat, ready to jump up if Cirtin and Powell came to blows.

"I thought, 'You touch that man, you are in trouble,'" George said.

"A man in public office should be able to control his emotions," George said. "It came off very bad for (Cirtin)."

At the town hall, Cirtin also discussed the progress of plans being funded by a new 1/2-cent sales tax. He has also faced critical questions about whistleblower allegations that Greene County misused public resources to advocate for the new tax, passed by voters in November.

Multiple Turners Station town hall attendees told the News-Leader they were unsatisfied with some of Cirtin's answers. They wondered how Greene County could justify paying more than $228,000 to a private law firm, hired after the whistleblower complaint surfaced. They also wondered why county commissioners have not allowed the state auditor to investigate the county, as she has requested to do.

Garrett said Cirtin denied that he has done anything wrong. However, Garrett was not convinced.

"This display showed the desperation of someone caught in a series of political blundering and wrongdoing," Garrett said.

Elsey-Stoner said both Cirtin and Powell are among several local officials who stop by Turners Station from time to time.

She said she started hosting candidate forums more than two decades ago because she wanted to help people stay informed and civically engaged.

"I think it's my responsibility to my community to offer a place to have these civic discussions," Elsey-Stoner. Her daughter Candace chimed in: "And a safe one at that."

Elsey-Stoner said she expects officials who utilize her meeting space to behave civilly.

"I don't stand for (unprofessional behavior) here. I don't care if it's Bob Cirtin or someone else," Elsey-Stoner said.

Turners Station was one stop in a series of town halls being hosted by Cirtin. The forums began in mid-March and will last through late April.

April 17 — Fair Grove City Hall, 81 S. Orchard Blvd. in Fair Grove

April 19 — Battlefield City Hall, 5434 Tower Drive in Battlefield

April 24 — Walnut Grove City Hall, 1201 S. Washington Ave. in Walnut Grove

Powell, the judge, was appointed this week to select a grand jury, the first in Greene County since 2011. He will choose 12 grand jurors and six alternates. Powell will also appoint the jury's foreperson and give instructions.

A grand jury may be ordered for felony cases, according to state law. Once assembled, the grand jury has the power to investigate and return indictments for "all character and grades of crime, as well as inquire into the willful misconduct in office of public officers," said a recent news release from the 31st Judicial Circuit Court.