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DallasNews.com | Dallas-Fort Worth | Politics: Local:
"Dallas won't negotiate or settle with Bolton
Fired chief's lawyer says he'll sue; third recall petition filed on Miller

07:20 AM CDT on Thursday, September 25, 2003
By GROMER JEFFERS JR. / The Dallas Morning News
The city of Dallas will not offer Terrell Bolton a settlement or enter into arbitration with the former police chief, City Attorney Madeleine Johnson said Wednesday.
In another development related to Mr. Bolton's firing, a third petition was filed Wednesday seeking to recall Mayor Laura Miller, who some Bolton supporters say lobbied for his ouster.
Last week, during a hearing before the City Council about his firing, Mr. Bolton and his attorney asked the city to respond within 10 days to their request for a settlement or arbitration.
Ms. Johnson said Wednesday that she told Mr. Bolton's lawyer, Bob Hinton, of the city's decision Tuesday night.
In response, Mr. Hinton said his client would sue the city. Mr. Hinton contends that City Manager Ted Benavides, rather than firing Mr. Bolton, should have demoted him to his previous rank.
'We will now proceed with a lawsuit,' Mr. Hinton said.
At City Hall on Wednesday, a group of ministers delivered to the city secretary petitions seeking a recall election against Ms. Miller.
'She has offended blacks, Hispanics and whites, as well,' said the Rev. S.C. Nash, head of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance. 'This is a grassroots effort of people coming together to say we have had enough of Laura Miller.'
Ms. Miller said she believed disgruntled supporters of Mr. Bolton were fueling the recall effort.
'It is an issue of the chief,' she said. 'It is fallout from a group of people that to"