SALMON, Idaho -- In a heated meeting Wednesday night, the Salmon City Council has decided it will wait until next week to vote on the fate of Police Chief Jim Spain.

The council was not able to go into executive session due to the absence of one of its members.

The same scenario is what overturned the recent decision of Mayor John Miller to fire Chief Spain last week.

Miller’s attempt to fire Spain was deemed “illegal” by the city attorney.

Miller is on record as saying the working relationship between he and Chief Spain had deteriorated to the point of no return.

Some in town believe Mayor Miller is unhappy with the police department’s enforcement of drunk-driving citations, and has a personal vendetta against Chief Spain as a result.

A petition for Mayor Miller’s resignation is being passed around the town and signed by supporters of Chief Spain.

Meanwhile, Spain’s opposition says he has allowed his officers to overstep their bounds and terrorize citizens in their enforcement of the law, and cite various incidents to back up their claims.

The meeting to decide the fate of Police Chief Jim Spain is set for Wednesday June 9 at 6:00 p.m.

This is an issue that has everyone in the town talking, and has most citizens choosing sides.

Local News 8 was the only local television station at the most recent meeting Wednesday night in Salmon, and will have a full report Thursday at 10:00 p.m. with video of the proceedings, and sit-down interviews with those on both sides of the issue.