DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
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Former Salisbury official may fight mayor on firing
Jul. 15, 2013 12:34 PM |
SALISBURY — A former top city official is considering fighting back after Mayor Jim Ireton fired her Friday afternoon.
Loré Chambers, who had served as assistant city administrator since 2008, confirmed Monday that she had been dismissed but declined to comment further, citing “pending actions.” She declined to elaborate on what those options may be.
Ireton said state law precludes him from talking about personnel matters. But he emphasized that he took action in accordance with city codes and the charter.
A city councilwoman witnessed the exchange Friday in which Ireton fired Chambers. Shanie Shields declined to discuss what was said specifically because she said the law forbids officials from speaking openly about personnel matters.
“All I can say is that it is surprising,” Shields said.
She also criticized the mayor for having the exchange in an office common area at city hall, where other employees are seated and couldn’t help but watch.
“I would have made it less public,” she said.
The city charter sets forth a procedure for terminating employees who are below the level of department heads. They “may be removed by the Mayor on the recommendation of the appropriate office, department or agency head,” according to the document.
Although Tom Stevenson, formerly the chief of the city neighborhood services department, is the interim city administrator, Ireton said he directly oversees Chambers. No permission was needed except his own, he said, adding he consulted with City Attorney Mark Tilghman on the matter Friday.
Chambers joined the city in 2004 as a grants writer and earned her doctorate degree while there in organizational leadership from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
She was widely considered a candidate for replacing City Administrator John Pick, who retired at the end of last month. In naming Stevenson as the interim administrator, Ireton said at a public ceremony both he and Chambers, who was seated in the audience, would be capable full-time replacements.
“What’s so sad is John Pick is gone who was very knowledgeable and now she is gone and now poor Tom Stevenson is left,” Shields said. “Who is he going to get advice from?”
what the heck does this comment have to do with this video.love the video. someone needs to look up the soap box page. please. let us enjoy the little things in this mean world. Ireton is not what i want to hear about all the time please....
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