RIDGECREST — A Ridgecrest alderman stormed out of a specially called meeting Thursday night and the others left with no decision regarding the salary of a yet-to-be hired town clerk.

The town is currently without a town clerk after aldermen terminated Dana DeLaughter in January following bookkeeping discrepancies.

Mayor Dwayne Sikes said he had hoped to discuss the hire and decide whether position’s wages would be salaried or hourly.

After DeLaughter’s termination, Sikes brought Cyndie Dillion, former mayor’s assistant in Ferriday, on board to handle part-time bookkeeping work for the town.

Sikes recently hired Dillion as full-time clerk, a position a step below the town clerk position and one that Sikes says he can hire without any input from the board.

“I was in an emergency situation, I hired her out of the Town of Ferriday and I’m very glad I did,” Sikes said. “What choice did I have getting a clerk in here with some knowledge of someone working in a town hall?”

Sikes and Dillion both referenced state law claiming that the mayor, who handles day-to-day operations, can hire a clerk, but that the board has to select the town clerk.

Several board members said that they felt that all the decisions had already been made and that Sikes was prepping the position for Dillion, who is among the applicants for town clerk.

Sikes said it was up to the board to review the candidates and decide how the employee would be paid.

Alderman Robert Maples suggested that Sikes and Dillion meet to discuss what she feels would be a respectable salary or if she would prefer an hourly position.

“It puts the board in an awkward situation,” Maples said. “I really think that in order for this situation to have a fair shot that you and her need to get together and discuss a salary or hourly.”

Uncertainty over what duties are the responsibilities of the mayor versus the board eventually led Maples to storm out of the meeting.

“I’ve had all the bull crap I can stand,” Maples said.

With three aldermen left, the board decided to review the applications for the town clerk position.

After reviewing several applications, the remaining board members decided to table the decision until Sikes had made a salary proposal for Dillion.

Sikes said he would draft that document and take it to each aldermen’s house in preparation for a vote at the next meeting on March 8.