The removal of Holladay's chief of police services, Republican Steven DeBry, remains overshadowed by politics as the long-time cop challenges Democrat Randy Horiuchi for a seat on the Salt Lake County Council.

County Republican Party Chairman James Evans continues to shout about political payback from the Democrat-led Sheriff's Office. And Sheriff Jim Winder counters that DeBry's transfer was little more than a personnel issue.

But neither side can provide a convincing paper trail that removes DeBry's dismissal from the political realm.

The only bit of documentation is an e-mail from DeBry to Winder, suggesting that Evans incorrectly characterized the transfer as "a party vs. party issue."

"I have once again advised him that this is not punitive in nature and to let it drop," DeBry wrote. "Apparently he isn't doing so."

But several GOP insiders discredit the letter, saying DeBry was simply trying to make amends with his employer to save his job.

The paper trail disappears from there. Holladay came up empty-handed this week when asked to provide all correspondence involving City Manager Randy Fitts and Mayor Dennis Webb about DeBry's transfer.

"No records have been found, nor do they exist regarding the subject matter of your request," Holladay Recorder Stephanie Carlson wrote.

The only records, Carlson noted, are the minutes of a closed meeting on April 24, 2008 -- almost two months after DeBry filed for a County Council seat. The session was closed to discuss personnel issues and Holladay is keeping a lid on them.

Perhaps DeBry's removal will have to remain in political limbo a little longer -- at least until someone is willing to cough up the evidence to prove otherwise.

-- js