Thursday, June 23, 2011
Ethridge Commission Cleans House; City Manager Employment Terminated
After holding a swearing-in ceremony Monday for the newest member of the Ethridge City Commission members began cleaning house, terminating the employment of some of the workers.
John Barnes was elected to the sole seat on the commission up for grabs in the city’s May election.
That city mandates that those elected be sworn-in during the next regularly scheduled business meeting.
Once the oath of office was administered, Barnes took his place alongside commission members Davaid Workman and Rex Johnson.
The first item of business before the commission was to select a member of the panel to serve as Mayor for the next term. Rex Johnson, who had served as mayor during the previous term, was reappointed to that post.
During the meeting members opted to terminate the employment of three part-time office employees as well as that of City Manager Byron Shelton.
Members did not discuss whether the post will be filled. Until such time that a new city manager is hired, the commission itself will serve as city manager.
The commission has not yet filled the position of police chief, left vacant with the retirement of former Chief E.O. Shelton. Willie Norwood now serves as Acting Chief. Three part time officers comprise the remainder of the city’s police force.
The panel opted to hire Street Department employee Kevin Clanton on a full-time basis. City Recorder Julie Yokley is the only other full-time employee.
