Court Opinion

ID: 9955135
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-03-27 18:09:55.429066+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:15:17.439598
License: Public Domain

ORIGINAL                                         03/27/2024

            IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA
                                                                                          Case Number: OP 24-0188

                                         OP 24-0188

 KERRY L. BURMAN, Glendive City Judge,

              Petitioner,

       v.                                                             ORDER
                                                                                        fl~kL~+ ,
 CITY OF GLENDIVE and DEB DION Mayor,
                                                                                        MAR 2 7 2024
              Respondents.                                                          Bowen Greenwood
                                                                                  Clerk of Supreme Court
                                                                                     State of Montana

       Petitioner Hon. Kerry L. Burman, Glendive City Judge, seeks a writ of mandamus
directing Respondents City of Glendive and Glendive Mayor Deb Dion that orders
Respondents to immediately reinstate the Clerk of Glendive City Court. Judge Burman
alleges Dion improperly terminated the Clerk's employment in violation of
§ 3-1-111, MCA. Judge Burman further argues that Dion also attempted to control the
court by seeking to hire a new Clerk. Judge Burman argues that Dion's actions violate
separation of powers as the executive branch of city government has intruded upon the
judiciary. Judge Burman further requests that the Court treat this petition as an emergency
as the Glendive City Court is unable to adequately fulfill its duties without a Clerk.
       Having reviewed the Petition and the challenged Order, this Court deems it
appropriate to obtain responses. Therefore, in accordance with M. R. App. P. 14(7),
       IT IS ORDERED that Respondents City of Glendive and Mayor Deb Dion are
granted until April 4, 2024, to prepare, file, and serve a response to this Petition.
       IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Respondents shall in their response show cause
as to why the Clerk should not be immediately reinstated pending the outcome of this
Petition.
       The Clerk is directed to provide a copy of this Order to Petitioner and to
Respondents City of Glendive' and Glendive Mayor Deb Dion.
Dated this 27th day of March, 2024.
       (
                                          For the Court,

                                          By

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