Before the first paragraph of Henderson City Attorney Billy Strickland’s contract was changed to grant him six month’s severance if he should terminate the agreement, Strickland send the following correspondence to council members requesting the change:
Subject: Contract
Dear Council Members,
Please find attached the revised employment contract for me. You will note the only changes are in paragraph one. I know all of the current council members intend on me remaining employed with the City. I look forward in remaining here. However, in lieu of information I have received from several people and considering the huge turn over this election I felt it prudent to add to my contract. This was my idea and no one else’s. I have a wife and four children to think of. I am certain I am supposed to be here but I do not know any of the new council members and have some reservations. The contract provides that I am here for at least a year. I have closed my practice back home and purchased a home here. If I was terminated in the next few months it would put me and my family in an unacceptable level of uncertainty. I have heard several people say that John would not want his job back even if the new council offered it to him. I have it on good authority he would. With that in mind I would fell a lot more secure knowing I had at least a year here. The best thing about the revision is if nothing happens then the provision is moot at the end of the year. However, leaving nothing to chance, if something does happen my family would be in a better position to start over (starting over is what I would have to do). Please consider the provisions. I will remain responsive to my duties no matter the outcome. I look forward in working with the new board and hope for the best. Thanks for your time and consideration on this matter.
Billy Strickland
The exact date of the correspondence is not known.