Stephan Franke
HANNIBAL — Hannibal City Manager Lisa Peck was quoted in a news release issued Wednesday by the City of Salem (Ill.) that she was “eager” to work with Salem city officials in the capacity of her new position as the town’s future city manager, effective June 2. April Azotea, candidate for 2nd Ward Council Member…
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HANNIBAL, Mo. — Hannibal City Council voted at Tuesday’s meeting to return public comment time to 7 p.m. with a three-minute time limit for each speaker and the option to extend it another three minutes. The council voted in January to give patrons a chance to speak or ask questions at 6:30 p.m., a half-hour…
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HANNIBAL, Mo. — Mayor Pro Tem Mike Dobson announced Tuesday night at the Hannibal City Council meeting that impeachment charges against Councilman Stephan Franke will not be pursued. The impeachment case, which was filed by former Mayor James Hark in January 2022, was dropped by Judge John J. Jackson on June 6 stating the city…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, MO. – Hannibal Mayor Pro Tem Mike Dobson will need another councilman to join his request for the court to rehear the impeachment case against Stephan Franke before it goes before the court. On Aug. 7, Judge John J. Jackson signed a judgment stating Dobson alone cannot replace former Mayor John Hark’s attempt to…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — Hannibal Mayor Pro Tem Mike Dobson confirmed Wednesday at the Hannibal City Council meeting he will request for a judge rehear impeachment charges against Third Ward Councilman Stephan Franke. Marion County Associate Judge John J. Jackson granted a motion to dismiss impeachment charges against Franke on June 6, who represents the 3rd…
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HANNIBAL, Mo. — The race for a new Hannibal mayor will begin next month. On Tuesday night, Hannibal City Council approved a special election to take place on Nov. 7. Candidates can file petitions on July 11 through Aug. 1. The person elected will finish the former Mayor James Hark’s term which runs through April…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — Marion County Associate Judge John J. Jackson granted on Friday a motion to dismiss impeachment charges against Stephan Franke, who represents the Third Ward on the Hannibal City Council. Jackson was appointed to preside over the impeachment proceedings after Hannibal Municipal Court Judge Donald M. Bastian recused himself in October 2022. Articles…
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HANNIBAL, Mo. — Hannibal City Council voted during a special meeting held Wednesday night to approve approximately 10 percent raises for Hannibal city employees, including policemen and firefighters. Councilman Stephan Franke explained the raises are described as “approximate 10 percent increases” because of pay scales per the union contracts of police officers and firefighters. Franke said…
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HANNIBAL, Mo. — Questions about the investigation of the Hannibal city clerk might be answered at the next Hannibal City Council meeting on June 6. At the council meeting Tuesday evening, April Azotea, owner of La Azotea Lounge in Hannibal, asked about the status of the investigation on City Clerk Angel Zerbonia who, according to…
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HANNIBAL, Mo. — After much debate in Hannibal City Council about requiring City Manager Lisa Peck to do a monthly report, a monthly report for March 2023 can be found on the city website. The report is 12 pages and includes a summary report of the month’s activities. It gives more detailed information from each…
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HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Hannibal City Council voted Tuesday night to consider adding a monthly city manager report to its regular meeting agenda. If adopted, the report would be made by Hannibal City Manager Lisa Peck. The city manager report proposal, introduced by Councilmen Stephan Franke and Charlie Phillips, was tabled twice. The proposal then was…
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HANNIBAL, Mo. — A former Hannibal councilman expressed concerns during Tuesday’s meeting of the Hannibal City Council regarding the council’s behavior, specifically referring to Feb. 21 meeting. Jim Van Hoose watched the meeting on the City of Hannibal’s YouTube channel, where each meeting is live-streamed. He was specifically concerned with the behavior of the several…
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I have been present on and off for the last six months or so at Hannibal City Council meetings. I continue to be frustrated and disappointed at the lack of professionalism and what appears to be disgust on your part at anyone and everyone asking for transparency and accountability. I have heard a few of our…
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HANNIBAL, Mo. – The Hannibal City Council meeting became a little heated Tuesday evening as several issues were discussed. The proposal by two councilmen, Charlie Phillips and Stephan Franke, that would require City Manager Lisa Peck to give monthly updates. Councilman Mike Dobson moved to table the proposal. Charlie Phillips told the group he has…
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HANNIBAL, Mo. — Business owner April Azotea came before Hannibal City Council on Tuesday evening to question the conditions of City Clerk Angel Zerbonia’s administrative leave. Zerbonia has been on paid administrative leave since November because of accusations of a hostile workplace. The council voted in January to hire an outside agency to conduct an…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. – An order signed Monday by Judge John Jackson gives the City of Hannibal until next Wednesday to produce all documents related to the impeachment proceedings of 3rd Ward Councilman Stephan Franke. Jackson, appointed to preside over the impeachment after Judge Donald Bastian recused himself, granted Franke’s motion to compel the city to…
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HANNIBAL, Mo. – A third-party investigation will soon be underway concerning Hannibal City Clerk Angel Zerbonia. City Attorney James Lemon confirmed at the Hannibal City Council meeting on Tuesday that an outside agency will be conducting the investigation. The council members confirmed it was decided by unanimous vote. The announcement comes after the council meeting…
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HANNIBAL, Mo. — Hannibal City Council agreed late Tuesday night that an investigation into the practices of city clerk Angelica “Angel” Zerbonia is needed. Zerbonia has been on paid administrative leave “for about a month,” according to Mayor James Hark. City attorney James Lemon said a “full investigation” will be needed and will be conducted…
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HANNIBAL, Mo. — Andy Dorian is leaving his position of director of Central Services for the city of Hannibal to become the director of campus development at Hannibal Regional Hospital. He says he isn’t leaving because he’s upset with the city administration. A July 7 letter from Dorian’s city email account to Hannibal city officials…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Hannibal City Council Tuesday night tabled two items proposed by third ward council member Stephan Franke. Franke’s attempt to present the items earlier this year led to his being suspended from council and facing impeachment. The two proposals deal with personnel issues that Franke says will help council members deal with…
Read Full Article EDITOR’S NOTE: The item proposed below by Stephan Franke was tabled during Tuesday’s meeting of the Hannibal City Council by a 6-1 vote, with Franke the lone “no” vote. As part-time elected representatives with other full-time jobs, there is a restriction on how much we as councilpeople can learn about our own government. Additionally, often…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — Tenth Judicial Circuit Presiding Judge Rachel L. Bringer Shepherd ruled June 27 the City of Hannibal violated the constitutional right of due process for 3rd Ward council member Stephan Franke when it suspended him in January. Mayor James Hark brought impeachment charges against Franke that resulted in his suspension, citing Section 18.08(g)…
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HANNIBAL, Mo. — The impeachment hearing for a Hannibal City Council member is now expected to take place next month. Hannibal Mayor James Hark has alleged 3rd Ward council member Stephan Franke violated his oath of office while acting in his capacity as a City Council member by physically assaulting two female city employees. The…
Read Full Article Impeachment proceedings have begun against a Hannibal City Council member as Mayor James Hark has drafted articles of impeachment against 3rd Ward Council member Stephan Franke. Hark alleges Franke violated his oath of office while acting in his capacity as a City Council member by physically assaulting both City Clerk Angelica Zerbonia and City Manager…
Read Full Article March 24, 2025
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